m  EL  §  c   J-  ,  J0   IE  ©  ©  §  IE  V  K.B.T, 


THE    QUEENS 


AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 


MRS.  ELLET, 


AUTHOR   OF  "THE   WOMEN  OF  TIIK  AMERICAN   RKVOI.UTION, 
"WOMEN   ARTISTS,"   ETC. 


SIXTH 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PORTER     &     COATES 

1873. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1867,  by 
CHARLES  SCBIBNER  &  CO., 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  th« 
Southern  District  of  New  York. 


PEEFAOE. 


SOME  friends  have  objected,  in  advance,  to  the  title  of  thia 
volume,  on  the  ground  that  the  term  "queens,"  as  applied  to  the 
subjects,  seems  out  of  place  in  the  society  of  a  republic.  But  if 
we  call  to  mind  how  continually  and  universally  the  expression  is 
used  in  ordinary  conversation,  it  must  be  conceded  that  no  other 
would  do  as  well.  We  are  all  accustomed  to  hear  of  any  leading 
lady  that  she  is  "a  perfect  queen,"  the  "queen  of  society,"  a 
"reigning  belle,"  the  "queen  of  the  occasion,"  &c.  The  phrase  is 
in  every  one's  mouth,  and  no  one  is  misled  by  it.  The  sway  of 
Beauty  and  Fashion,  too,  is  essentially  royal ;  there  is  nothing  re- 
publican about  it.  Every,  belle,  every  leader  of  the  ton,  is  despotic 
in  proportion  to  her  power;  and  the  quality  of  imperial  authority  is 
absolutely  inseparable  from  her  state.  I  maintain,  therefore,  that 
no  title  is  so  just  and  appropriate  to  the  women  illustrated  in  this 
work,  as  that  of  "  queens." 

It  may  be  thought  that  too  much  space  has  been  given  to  per- 
sonal description  and  accounts  of  dress  and  entertainments.  It 
should  be  borne  in  mind,  that  the  subjects  are  the  Flowers  of  the 
sex — choice  and  cultivated  flowers — not  representatives  of  woman- 
kind in  general.  To  them  especially  and  necessarily  pertain  the 
Adornments  of  person  and  the  luxury  of  surroundings;  and  in 
scenes  of  festal  display  they  are  the  stars  of  attraction.  To  pre- 
sent them  without  the  adjuncts  and  associations  of  dress  and 
gayety  would  be  fair  neither  to  them  nor  the  reader.  There  is 
significance,  too,  in  the  style  of  decoration  and  amusements,  as 
well  as  that  of  daily  living.  The  style  prevalent  in  the  early  days 
of  the  republic  differed  widely  from  the  present,  as  does  that  of  the 
West  and  the  South  from  ours  in  the  metropolis  and  the  Atlantic 
cities. 


550943 


ii  PREFACE. 

In  a  country  so  extensive — embracing  such  diversities  in  cli- 
mate, habits  of  life,  and  tone  of  the  community— it  cannot  certain- 
ly be  expected  that  society  should  have  always  and  everywhere  the 
eame  prevailing  features.  The  differences  are  marked  in  different 
sections ;  and  a  social  favorite  in  one  might  be  regarded  in  another 
as  entitled  to  no  distinction.  It  will  be  obvious,  therefore,  how 
unfair  it  would  be  to  measure  by  the  same  rules  those  who  have 
been  made  unlike  by  diverse  origin,  customs,  and  training.  There 
are  points  of  similarity  enough,  if  a  broad  and  liberal  view  of  other 
conditions  be  taken. 

I  trust  the  candid  reader  will  admit  that  the  women  most 
prominent  in  our  society  have  had  better  than  frivolous  claims  to 
distinction ;  that  they  have  possessed  high  moral  worth  and  supe- 
rior intellect.  Many  of  them  have  devoted  their  influence  and 
efforts  to  works  of  charity.  It  is  the  blessing  of  New  York— so 
justly  reproached  as  the  temple  of  money-worship — that  her  most 
elevated  society  is  pervaded  by  a  noble  spirit  of  benevolence,  and 
the  refinement  of  taste  growing  out  of  mental  culture.  A  line  6f 
distinction  is  drawn  between  the  class  that  confers  honor  on  the 
country,  and  mere  shallow  and  vulgar  pretenders  whose  lavish 
display  of  wealth  is  their  only  merit.  Abundant  materials  for  the 
illustration  of  this  latter  class  were  at  hand,  but  they  have  not 
been  used. 

It  has  seemed  to  me  that  a  comprehensive  view  of  the  best 
society  would  be  a  valuable  part  of  the  country's  history.  It  is 
curious  and  interesting  to  trace  the  noted  families  whose  descend- 
ants have  spread  over  the  land,  and,  parting  with  the  aristocracy 
derived  from  ancient  blood,  have  risen  to  individual  distinction. 
The  limits  of  a  single  volume  are  too  narrow  to  do  full  justice  to 
t1.")  subject;  but  enough  is  done  to  show  the  study  a  worthy  one. 

The  reader  is  indebted  for  the  memoir  of  Mrs.  Jay,  to  the  pen 
of  her  gifted  descendant,  Mr.  John  Jay,  of  New  York. 


CONTENTS. 


I. 

PASS 

The  Early  Colonial  Society — In  the  South  and  the  East — Leading 
Ladies — Prominent  Families — The  Virginia  School  of  Aristoc- 
racy—Mrs. Washington— The  Birthnight  Ball— New  York  as  the 
Capital — The  President's  Title — Reception  of  Mrs.  "Washington — 
The  Inauguration — Establishment  of  the  "  Republican  Court "-  - 
Presidential  Receptions — Count  de  Moustier's  Ball,  4c. — New 
Year's  Calls — Prominent  Ladies — Charles  Carroll's  Family — Fam- 
ily of  Thomas  Jefferson — Noted  Ladies 13 

II. 

The  Livingston  Family — Governor  William  Livingston  and  hia  Daugh- 
ters— Miss  Susan  saving  the  Papers — Lady  Stirling  and  her 
Daughter — Sarah's  Marriage — Mrs.  Jay  during  the  gloomy  Pe- 
riod of  War — Sailing  for  Spain — Disasters  at  Sea — Correspond- 
ence— Letters  of  Mrs.  Robert  Morris,  &c. — Description  of  Mrs. 
Jay — Society  in  Paris  at  the  Period — Negotiation  of  American 
Commissioners  for  the  Conclusion  of  Peace — Jay's  Agency — 
Prevailing  Fashions — La  Fayette's  Family — Intimacy  with  Dr. 
Franklin— Brilliant  Circle  of  Celebrities  around  his  Table— His 
Letters  to  Mrs.  Jay — Mrs.  Jay  at  Chaillot — Correspondence — 
Return  to  New  York — Society  there — Dinner  Guests — Home 
Occupation — Mrs.  Jay  Managing  the  Estate — Her  Character. ...  4i 

III. 

The  Early  Aristocracy  of  New  England — Customs — Brissot's  Obser- 
vations— John  Quincy  Adams'  Descriptions  of  several  Belles — 
Mrs.  Cashing — The  Misses  Allen — Mercy  Warren — Mrs.  Knoi— 
The  Sheaffe  Ladies— Mrs.  Adams— Her  Sisters,  &c.— Mrs.  Smith 
— Her  Letters  on  Society — John  Quincy  Adams'  Opinion  of 
New  York  Beauties — Madame  de  Marbois — Mrs.  John  Quincy 
Adams,  &c 85 


4  CONTENTS. 

IV. 

PACK 

The  Quiney  Family — Marriage  of  Dorothy  to  John  Hancock — Mrs. 
Hancock's  Patriotism— Her  House  in  Boston— Style  of  Living- 
General  Washington's  Visit— The  Breakfast  to  the  French  Fleet 
— Complimentary  Dinner  to  Mrs.  Hancock  by  the  Admiral — 
Anecdotes— Plate  in  Use— Hancock's  Epicurean  Taste— Break- 
ing the  China — Samuel  Adams  going  to  Jail — The  Governor's 
Last  Hours — Mrs.  Hancock's  Attractions — Mrs.  Greene — Mrs. 
Wooster— Countess  Rumford 113 

y. 

Philadelphia  Society  in  Early  Times— The  Willing  Famfly— Philadel- 
phia the  Center  of  Fashionable  Gayety — Mrs.  Bingham — Her 
Life  abroad — Miss  Adams'  Letters  about  her — Her  Home  in 
Philadelphia — Her  Country  Seat — Brilliant  Society — Mrs.  Bing- 
ham's  Taste  in  Dress  and  Entertainments — Her  Beauty  and  Pleas- 
ing Manners — Jefferson's  Letter  to  her — French  Noblemen — The 
First  Masquerade  Ball — Judge  Chase  at  Dinner — Illness  and 
Departure  of  Mrs.  Bingham— Mrs.  Robert  Morris 135 

VI. 

Foreign  Writers  on  American  Society — Extravagance  of  the  Women 
— The  Wistar  Parties— The  Misehianza— Fete  in  Honor  of  the 
Dauphin— Miss  Graeme — Mrs.  Bache — Miss  Vining — Miss  Mar- 
garet Shippen — Mrs.  Arnold — Miss  Franks — Lady  Johnston's 
Interview  with  General  Scott — Mrs.  Stockton — Mrs.  Rufus  King 
— Mrs.  Bruyn — Mrs.  Sqhuyler — Mrs.  Hamilton — Jerome  Bona- 
parte's Marriage  to  Miss  Patterson — Her  after  Life — Mrs. 
Wilson 149 

vii.  • 

fhe  Van  Cortlandt  Family — Mrs.  Beekman— "  Castle  Philipse  "— The 
Old  Dutch  Church— Locality  of  the  "Legend  of  Sleepy  Hollow" 
— Region  of  Romance — Mrs.  Gates — Mrs.  Benjamin  H.  Field — 
Descended  of  Distinguished  Families— The  De  Peyster  Family- 
Its  remarkable  Men — Mrs.  Field  one  of  few  Americans — Marriage 
to  Mr.  Benjamin  H.  Field— His  Ancestry—"  Silver  Wedding  " — 
Poem  by  Bishop  Coxe,  addressed  to  Mrs.  Field 171 


CONTENTS. 


VIII. 

PAOB 

Early  Society  at  the  South— In  Charleston,  South  Carolina— Promi- 
nent Belles — "Moll  Harvey" — Paulina- the  Heiress — Mrs.  Riv- 
ington — Mrs.  Singleton — Whig  Ladies — Mrs.  Brewtou — "Mad 
Archy's"  Marriage — A  Brilliant  Ball — Epigram — Mrs.  Motte — 
Mrs.  Gibbes— Mrs.  Barnard  Elliott— Mrs.  "William  Elliott— Mrs. 
Lewis  Morris — Mrs.  Jane  Elliott — Anna  Elliott— Mrs.  Calhoun 
— Esther  AVake  and  Lady  Tryon— Mrs.  Wilie  Jones  and  Mrs. 
Ashe— Mrs.  Ralph  Izard— Princess  Achille  Murat  (note) 181 

IX. 

Belles  among  the  Pioneers  of  Tennessee — Miss  Hart— Miss  Bledsoe — 
The  Lady  of  "Plum  Grove  "—Mrs  Sevier— Miss  Sevier — Th» 
Belle  of  Natchez — Mrs.  Iimis — Mrs.  Combs — Mrs.  Robertson — 
Mrs.  Kenton— Mrs.  Talbot— Miss  St.  Clair— Mrs.  Sibley— Mr* 
Walworth— Mrs.  Heald— Mrs.  Kinzie— Mrs.  Allen— Miss  Traak  !Q5 

X. 

Memoir  of  Mrs.  Polk— Early  Marriage— Winters  in  Washington- 
Circles  of  distinguished  Persons — Mrs.  Polk's  Dignity  and  Grace 
— Her  Benevolence — Mr.  Polk  Governor  of  Tennessee — Klected 
President  of  the  United  States— Mrs.  Poik's  admirable  Tact  and 
noble  Qualities — She  will  not  have  Dancing — Mrs.  Maury's  Ac- 
count of  her — Leaving  the  White  House — Her  Home  in  Nashville 
— Testimony  of  Respect  by  the  Legislature  and  Military  Compa- 
nies— Mrs.  Huntington  of  Indiana — Her  Beauty  and  admirable 
Character — Mrs.  "Florida  White" — Mrs.  Pleasants — The  Daugh- 
ters of  Governor  Adair — Mrs.  Jacob  Brown — La  Fayette's  Letter 
to  her— Mrs.  Henry  Clay — Mrs.  Joshua  Francis  Fisher— Miss 
Sallie  Ward— The  Belle  of  the  Southwest — Her  Father— Mrs. 
Robert  J.  Ward— Early  Training— Rare  Gifts  of  the  young  Girl 
— Popular  Admiration — Presentation  of  Flags  to  the  Louisville 
Legion,  &c. — The  Greeting  on  their  Return — Mrs.  Johnston — A 
Fancy  Ball  Dress — Mrs.  Hunt's  Beauty  and  imperial  Elegance — 
Taste  in  Dress — Mrs.  Hunt's  Charity — Her  Elevation  of  Mind — 
Her  splendid  Home  in  New  Orleans — A  Masquerade  Ball — 
Domestic  Retirement. . .  213 


6  CONTENTS. 

XI. 

MM 

Memoir  of  Mrs.  Madison — Her  Family — Her  Beauty  and  Fascinations 
— Her  first  Marriage  and  Widowhood — Her  Marriage  to  Mr.  Mad- 
ison— Hospitality  at  Home — The  new  National  Capital  re- 
claimed by  Mrs.  Madison — Her  elegant  and  liberal  Style  of 
Entertainment — The  Presidential  Election — The  Inauguration 
Festivities— Danger  of  the  Capital  in  1814 — Mrs.  Madison's  Let- 
ter— Her  noble  Conduct — Celebration  of  Peace — Mrs.  Madison's 
Mountain  Home — Letter  from  Judge  Johnson — Montpelier — The 
aged  Mother-in-law— Mrs.  Madison's  Letter— Her  Return  to 
Washington — Loss  of  Fortune — Her  Last  Days — Anecdotes — 
Eleanor  Parke  Custis— Mrs.  Mary  Custis— Mrs.  Marshall— Mrs. 
Sitgreaves— Mrs.  Wallace 238 

XII. 

Mrs.  J.  P.  Van  Ness — A  distinguished  Belle  and  Heiress—Her  Mar- 
riage— Splendid  House  in  Washington — Elegant  Hospitality — 
Brilliant  Circle — Her  Personal  Attractions— Her  Piety  and  Char- 
ity— Marriage  of  her  Daughter  to  Arthur  Middleton — Death  of 
Mrs.  Middleton — Mrs.  Van  Ness's  Retirement,  from  Society — 
Founding  of  the  Orphan  Asylum — Her  Burial  with  Public  Honors 
— Mrs.  Woodbury — Mrs.  McLane — Miss  Butt — Mrs.  Edward  Liv- 
ingston— Miss  Cora  Livingston — Mrs.  Thomas  Barton — Evening 
Scene  at  the  White  House — Mrs.  Andrew  Jackson — Pure  Morals 
and  Taste  in  Society 264 

XIII. 

Mrs.  J.  J.  Roosevelt— Her  Mother,  Mrs.  Cornelius  P.  Van  Ness— The 
Governor's  hospitable  Home  in  Vermont — Residence  in  Madrid 
—Miss  Cornelia  Van  Ness— A  brilliant  Belle  in  Washington— In 
Spain  with  the  Ambassador — Her  Admission  to  the  exclusive 
Circles  of  the  Spanish  Grandees — Favor  shown  her  by  the  King 
and  Queen  of  Spain — Her  Marriage  in  Paris— La  Fayette  bestows 
the  Bride — Return  to  America — Letter  of  La  Fayette — Mrs. 
Roosevelt  helps  to  reform  a  Social  Usage  in  Washington — Tri- 
butes in  her  Album — Her  Correspondence  with  distinguished 
Persons — Her  Leadership  of  Society  in  New  York — Superinten- 
dence of  the  "  Knickerbocker  Kitchen,''  &c.— Lady  Ouseley— Her 
Stay  in  Washington 281 


CONTENTS.  7 

XIV. 

PAOI 

Mrs.  "Winfield  Scott — Scott's  and  Washington  Irving's  Tributes  to 
"William  C.  Preston  of  South  Carolina— The  Preston  Family- 
Mrs.  William  Preston— Mrs.  Merrick— Anecdote— Mrs.  William 
C.  Preston — Baron  Raumer  and  the  Peacock — Mrs.  Preston  in 
Columbia,  South  Carolina — Her  Illness  and  Death — Mrs.  Renwick 
— Celebrated  by  Burns— The  Blue-Eyed  Lassie  of  Lochmaben— 
Picture  of  her  New  York  Life — Her  House  Washington  Irving'a 
"Ark" — Mrs.  John  C.  Stevens — Her  Masquerade  Ball — Mrs. 
Parish — Mrs.  Hickson  Field — Mrs.  Redfleld — Mrs.  Leavenworth.  295 

XV. 

Memoir  of  Mrs.  Harrison  Gray  Otis — Her  Widowhood — Return  from 
abroad — Her  Devotion  to  Works  of  Charity — The  Mount  Vernon 
Ball — Washington's  Birthday  made  a  Public  Holiday  through  the 
Influence  of  Mrs.  Otis — Her  Receptions  and  Soirees — Her  com- 
manding Position — Her  Relinquishment  of  Social  Honors  to  take 
Charge  of  the  Enterprise  for  the  Benefit  of  Poor  Soldiers  and 
their  Families — Extracts  from  Reports — Her  Perseverance  and 
Benevolence — The  Swedish  Compliment  to  her — Successful 
Closing  of  the  House — Tributes  to  Mrs.  Otis— Her  Portrait  in  the 
"  Gallery  of  Fallen  Heroes  " — Her  patriotic  Liberality — Miss  Mar- 
shall—Mrs. Derby— Mrs.  Wallace— Mrs.  William  H.  Prescott— 
Miss  Harriet  Preble 311 

XVI. 

Memoir  of  Mrs.  Crittenden— Her  Family— Early  Marriage — Her 
Daughters— Stay  in  Washington— " The  Belle  of  the  Capital" — 
Mrs.  Ashley  the  Center  of  a  Brilliant  Circle — Residence  in  St. 
Louis  in  her  Widowhood — Education  of  her  Daughters — Winters 
in  Washington — Always  a  Favorite  in  Society — Her  Tact,  Grace, 
and  generous  Kindness — Marriage  to  Hon.  J.  J.  Crittenden — Ap- 
pearance in  Washington — Address  to  her  at  the  National  Hotel 
— Her  Removal  to  New  York — Miss  Lane — Miss  Fendall — Misa 
Morgan — Mrs.  McLean — Mrs.  Slidell — Her  Appearance  at  a  Ball, 
&c. — Mrs.  A.  G.  Brown,  of  Mississippi — Mrs.  A.  V.  Brown,  of 
Tennessee — Entertainment  at  her  House — Mrs.  Calhoun — Miss 
Dahlgren — Mrs.  Pringle — Mrs.  Duval,  of  Louisiana — Prominent 
Richmond  Ladies — Mrs.  Reverdy  Johnson — Mrs.  Douglas — Mrs. 
Gaines — Mrs.  Thornton .  .  .  321 


8  CONTENTS. 

XVII. 

PAGB 

Ladies  prominent  in  Benevolent  Enterprise — Mrs.  James  "W.  White 
— Her  Family— Her  Mother—"  The  sweet  Song"  of  her  Girlhood 
— Daniel  Dickinson's  Letter — Her  Marriage — Mr.  White's  Family 
— "Castle  Comfort ": — Perfect  Domestic  Management — A  happy 
Home — Instruction  of  her  Children — Their  Musical  Talent — Mrs. 
"White's  noble  Works— The  first  Great  Fair — The  first  private 
Charity  Soiree — Fair  in  the  Academy  of  Music— Letter  of  the 
Archbishop — Method  of  Home  Education — Home  Amusements 
— Drawing-room  Operas — Mrs.  White's  Correspondence  and  In- 
fluence— Senora  del  Bal — Her  great  Work  in  Santiago — Origin  of* 
the  Idea  of  the  "Nursery  and  Child's  Hospital" — Charity  of 
Mrs.  Thomas  Addis  Emmet  and  Mrs.  Cornelius  Dubois — Erection 
of  the  Building — Fashionable  Entertainments  for  its  Benefit- 
Other  fashionable  Charities— Mrs.  Dubois— Mrs.  Emmet 342 

XVIII. 

Memoir  of  Mrs.  Rush — Her  Education — Dr.  James  Rush — She  takes 
the  Lead  in  Philadelphia  Social  Life — Her  splendid  Home — 
Enlarged  Hospitalities — Description  of  her — Acknowledged  the 
Queen  of  Society  in  Philadelphia — Parties  and  Receptions — 
Celebrities  shown — Musical  Character  of  the  Receptions — Mrs. 
Rush's  Estimate  of  Intellect — Her  Disregard  of  Conventional 
Distinctions — Her  Life  at  Saratoga  Springs — A  Fancy  Ball — The 
Succession  in  Seats  next  her  at  Table — Conditions  imposed — Her 
Dresses— Her  last  Ball  at  Home — The  Robbery  of  her  Jewels— 
Her  last  Summer  at  Saratoga — Illness  and  Death— Mrs.  Mac- 
Gregor— Mrs.  Daniel  Webster— Mrs.  Henry  D.  Gilpin— Brilliant 
in  Washington  Society  as  Mrs.  Johnston — Her  Marriage  to  Mr. 
Gilpin — Their  Tour  in  Europe — Attentions  received  in  London — 
Hospitalities  extended  by  Persons  of  Rank  and  Literary  Repute 
— Mrs.  Gilpin's  Tour  on  the  Continent — Ascent  of  the  Nile — 
Visit  to  Asia  Minor — Turkey — Greece — Acquaintance  with  the 
Earl  of  Carlisle— Mrs.  Gilpin's  Home  in  Philadelphia — Her  Mu- 
sical Receptions — Her  Hospitality  and  Charities 363 

XIX. 

Mrs.  Coventry  Waddell— Her  Family— Her  Marriage— Mr.  Waddell's 
noble  Ancestry — '"Murray  Hill"  Hospitalities,  and  brilliant  Par- 
ties at  this  Villa— Tributes  of  Foreign  Visitors — Mrs.  Waddell  at 
Saratoga — Ball  at  Murray  Hill — Fancy  Dresses — Complimentary 


CONTENTS. 


FAGB 

Letter  of  "Washington  Irving — Ball  at  Murray  Hill — Mr.  Thack- 
eray's Letter— Mrs.  Waddell's  playful  Wit— Loss  of  Fortune- 
Cheerfulness  in  Adversity — Home  in  the  Highlands — Suburban 
Eesidence  near  New  York — Mrs.  Wadsworth — Mrs.  Montgomery 
Ritchie — Miss  Schaumburg — Her  Ancestors — Her  Gifts  in  Vocal 
Music  and  Poetry — A  Belle  in  Philadelphia  Society — Admired  by 
the  Prince  of  Wales — Her  wonderful  Dramatic  Talent — Perform- 
ances at  the  Amateur  Theater  for  Charity — Ristori's  Surprise  and 
Delight 382 

XX. 

Memoir  of  Madame  Le  Yert — Her  extraordinary  Popularity — Cause 
of  such  universal  Admiration  unmixed  with  Envy — Her  warm 
and  kind  Heart — Her  Family — Childhood  of  Octavia — Visit  to 
La  Fayette— Classic  and  Scientific  Studies— Miss  Walton  a  great 
Linguist — Friendship  with  Washington  Irving — Marriage — 
Friendship  with  Lady  Emmeline  Stuart  Wortley — Her  Poem  ad- 
dressed to  Madame  Le  Vert — Visit  to  England — Distinguished 
Attentions  to  Madame  Le  Vert — Invitation  to  a  Court  Ball  before 
her  Presentation — A  Star  in  the  Court  Circle — Presentation  at 
the  French  Court,  &c. — Return  to  Mobile — Her  crowded  Recep- 
tions—Miss Bremer's  Tribute-yDescription  of  a  Ball  at  her  House 
in  Mobile — Madame  Le  Vert  in  Washington — At  Newport — At 
Saratoga — Years  of  Trial  at  the  South — Bereavements— Visit  in 
New  York — In  Washington— Return  to  her  Birth-place— In  New 
Orleans — Devotion  of  her  Servants. — MRS.  ACKLEN — Her  Loveli- 
ness and  Virtues— Marriage  and  Widowhood — "Bellemonte" — 
The  most  beautiful  Home  in  the  Southwest — Her  Charity  and 
Hospitality — Her  Marriage  to  Dr.  Cheatham. — Mrs.  Stanard  of 
Richmond— Miss  Emily  Mason  of  Kentucky— Presides  at  the  Gov- 
ernor's House  in  Detroit — A  Celebrity  in  New  Orleans,  &c. — Loss 
of  Fortune— The  Market  Farm— Rural  Life— Seizure  of  her  Home 
—Suspected  as  a  Spy— Her  Benevolent  Labors  in  the  Hospitals 
and  for  Southern  Girls — Rosa  Vertner  Jeffrey 396 

XXI. 

Memoir  of  Mrs.  Fremont— Her  peculiar  Influence— Her  Maternal 
Ancestry — Colonel  McDowell's  eminent  Position — Region  in 
Virginia  where  the  Family  was  settled — Early  Customs — Con- 
tempt of  mere  Moneyed  Aristocracy — The  leading  Families 
opposed  to  Slavery — Established  Order  of  Society— Thackeray's 


10  CONTENTS. 


Types  of  the  best  Class — Absence  of  deceptive  Display — Charac- 
ter of  the  true  "Virginia  Gentleman" — Colonel  Benton's  Fanillv 
— In  connection  with  leading  Families  of  the  State — Mrs.  Albert 
Sidney  Johnston — Colonel  Benton's  Family  in  Washington — In 
St.  Louis — In  New  Orleans — The  Changes  in  Travel,  and  varied 
Experiences — Mrs.  Benton's  Washington  Coteries — She  gives 
Freedom  to  her  Slaves — Miss  Benton's  early  Studies  and  Society 
Experiences — Marriage  to  Mr.  Fremont — Share  in  his  Western 
Adventure — The  Flatteries  of  Society  in  Washington — Detention 
at  Panama — Mrs.  Fremont's  Residence  in  California — The  prac- 
tical Evidence  of  her  Example  said  to  influence  the  Decision  for 
Freedom — Her  Experiences  in  Western  Life — The  honest  Spa- 
niards— Mrs.  Fremont's  Visit  to  Europe — Privileged  at  the  Eng- 
lish Court — Scene  in  Paris  at  the  Restoration  of  the  Empire — 
Scene  at  the  Court  of  St.  James — The  Campaign  of  1856 — Again 
in  Paris — Count  de  la  Garde's  Album  left  to  Mrs.  Fremont — Let- 
ter of  Queen  Hortense — Mrs.  Fremont  at  St.  Louis  during  the 
•\yar — Her  Removal  to  New  York — Her  Country  Seat  on  the 
Hudson — Her  Home  Life  and  Instruction  of  her  Children — Her 
active  Charities  and  Aid  to  Benevolent  Associations — The  Brown 
Locks  suddenly  silvered — Mrs.  Fremont's  brilliant  Wit  and 
Humor — Her  prepossessing  personal  Appearance 428 

XXII. 

Mrs.  Hills — The  American  Improvisatrice  in  Music — Lydia  Maria 
Child  enchanted  by  her  Playing — Mrs.  Osgood's  Impromptu  Lines 
— Mrs.  Girard's  Introduction  of  Morning  Receptions — Mrs.  Hills' 
"  Mission  " — Remark  of  Willis — Improvisation — Her  Concerts 
at  Dr.  Ward's  Theater— Mrs.  John  Schermerhorn— Miss  Minnie 
Parker— Miss  Hetty  Carey— Miss  Lillie  Hitchcock— Mrs.  Harvey 
— Miss  Breckenridge — Mrs.  William  Schermerhorn — Her  Fancy 
Ball — Mrs.  Hamilton  Fish — Mrs.  Auguste  Belmont — Brown,  the 
Sexton  and  Manager  of  Entertainments — Poetical  Tribute  to  him 
— Present  Leaders  in  Boston — The  Ladies  prominent  in  Fashion- 
able Life  not  merely  Frivolous,  but  Women  of  superior  Intellect 
and  Culture — Ball  in  Fifth  Avenue — Presidential  Reception — 
New  Fashion  at  Delmonico's — Recent  Changes  in  Social  Life — 
"Faot"  People — The  "Shoddy"  and  "Petroleum"  Element— 
Those  who  scatter  Money  merely  for  Display  not  worthy  to  he 
named— The  Ball  Season  of  1866— "Fast"  Ladies— Pure  Aris- 
tocracy in  New  York , 449 


THE  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY, 


I. 


ANY  view  of  society  in  the  United  States  must,  of 
necessity,  take  in  a  variety  of  aspects.  During  the 
existence  of  the  Eepublic,  there  has  been  no  period 
when  its  social  condition  was  like  that  of  a  compact 
nation  which  had  been  a  unity  in  its  origin,  growth, 
and  development.  In  the  early  colonial  days,  the  lead- 
ing society  in  the  North,  in  the  East,  and  in  the  South 
was  composed  of  diverse  elements ;  in  each  section  dif- 
fering from  that  of  others.  Yirginia — the  first  colony 
that  could  boast  an  aristocracy — traced  her  proud  and 
gentle  blood  to  ancient  families  of  England ;  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  farther  south,  the  best  society  came  of 
that  stock  of  continental  Protestantism — the  French 
and  Flemish  refugees — whom  the  bigotry  of  Philip  the 
Second  in  one  century,  and  of  Louis  XIY.  in  the 
next,  drove  from  their  homes  and  places  of  worship, 
to  seek,  in  the  wild  solitudes  of  a  new  world,  "  freedom 
to  worship  God."  To  these,  in  Pennsylvania,  were 


14  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

added  the  Quakers,  who  came  to  the  country  with 
William  Penn.  In  ISTew  England,  the  Puritan  element 
mingled  with  an  aristocracy  created  by  prosperity  and 
growing  wealth.  Thus  the  social  phases  presented  had 
various  aspects,  modified,  in  the  progress  of  years,  by 
the  various  modes  of  living.  The  unity  of  -feeling 
produced  by  the  Revolution  caused  some  change  and 
assimilation,  so  far  as  the  great  cities  were  concerned ; 
in  other  portions  of  the  Union  social  differences  not 
only  continued  to  exist,  but  developed  into  more  marked 
peculiarities.  We  cannot  help  observing  this  in  the 
most  general  survey. 

About  the  middle  of  the  last  century  we  find  a  ruling 
class  in  families  of  wealth  and  distinction  living  hun- 
dreds of  miles  apart.  We  note  this  when  we  read  of 
George  Washington  being  entertained  at  the  house  of 
Beverley  Robinson,  and  being  captivated  by  the  charms 
of  his  host's  fair  sister-in-law,  Mary  Philipse.  She  was 
the  daughter  of  the  lord  of  the  old  manor  of  Philips- 
borough,  who  owned  an  immense  estate  on  the  Hudson. 
Her  marriage  afterwards  with  Captain  Roger  Morris,  and 
the  confiscation  of  that  portion  of  the  Philipse  estate, 
led  to  the  formation  of  a  home  of  another  character. 
Both  Mrs.  Morris  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Robinson,  who 
shared  in  the  outlawry  and  attainder,  were  leaders  in 
the  society  of  that  period,  and  remarkable  for  graces  and 
accomplishments. 

About  1749  Mrs.  Jeykell  was  leading  lady  of  the  ton 
in  Philadelphia,  pre-eminent  in  beauty  and  fashion.  She 


THE   FIRST   BALL — LADY   FRANKLAND.  15 

was  the  grand-daughter  of  the  first  Edward  Shippen, 
and  married  a  brother  of  Sir  Joseph  Jeykell,  secretary 
to  Queen  Anne. 

The  first  dancing  assembly,  said  to  have  been  held 
in  Philadelphia  in  1748,  had  its  subscription  list  mostly 
filled  with  names  of  English  families  attached  to  the 
Church  of  England.  The  list  was  under  the  direction 
of  John  Inglis  and  other  gentlemen,  and  each  subscrip 
tion  was  forty  shillings.  The  custom  was  universal 
among  men,  of  wearing  the  hair  tied  up  with  ribbon,  in 
a  long  bunch,  in  a  form  called  a  queue.  Gentlemen's 
coats  were  made  of  cloth  or  velvet,  of  all  colors ;  the 
collar  being  sometimes  of  a  different  hue  from  the  coat. 
In  the  Supreme  Court  the  Judges,  in  winter,  wore  robes 
of  scarlet  faced  with  black  velvet ;  in  the  summer,  full 
black  silk  go\vns. 

Agues,  Lady  Frankland,  was  the  wife  of  Sir  Charles 
Henry  Frankland,  Baronet,  who  was  buried  alive  at  the 
great  earthquake  at  Lisbon  ;  and  being  rescued  through 
the  efforts  of  the  young  girl,  married  her  in  1755.  Lady 
Frankland  came  to  America  after  his  death  in  1768, 
and  was  allowed  an  escort  to  Boston  by  the  Provincial 
Congress,  and  to  take  "  seven  trunks,  beds  and  bedding, 
boxes,  crates,  a  basket  of  chickens,  some  ham  and  veal, 
two  barrels  and  a  hamper,  two  horses  and  chaises,  one 
phaeton,  and  small  bundles." 

The  biography  of  Catalina  Schuyler,  written  by 
Anne  McYickar,  well  known  as  Mrs.  Grant,  is  an  inter- 
esting memorial  of  early  times.  Catalina  was  the  niece 


16  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

of  the  first  Colonel  Philip  Schuyler.  She  was  born  in 
1702,  and  married  her  cousin,  Philip  Schuyler.  Her 
house,  near  Albany,  was  a  fine  building,  with  large 
latticed  portico  with  seats.  The  birds  had  their  nests  in 
the  trees,  and  were  so  tame  they  would  run  across  the 
table  with  insects  or  crumbs  for  their  young.  The  Hud- 
son river  was  in  front,  and  on  its  brink,  under  elm  and 
sycamore  trees,  ran  a  road  to  Saratoga  and  the  Lakes. 
The  French  Canadian  prisoners  usually  called  the  good 
lady  "  Madame  Schuyler,"  and  she  was  "Aunt  Schuyler" 
to  the  country  people.  '  She  kept  a  liberal  table,  and 
had  much  influence  in  the  primitive  society  of  the  coun- 
try, though  old-fashioned  in  her  manners.  Her  superior 
mind  and  education,  her  virtues  of  character,  and  her 
majestic  grace,  commanded  general  respect.  British 
officers  of  rank  and  merit  were  fond  of  visiting  her. 
She  read  a  great  deal;  and  Milton  and  the  Scriptures 
were  her  constant  companions.  When  she  laid  down 
the  book  she  always  took  up  her  knitting.  The  grave 
of  her  husband  was  on  the  grounds  near  the  house,  and 
she  was  accustomed  to  sit  near  it. 

The  fringe  of  civilization  on  the  colonial  seaboard  in 
1770  and  1771  was  very  narrow,  for  though  across  the 
continent  scattered  military  settlements  extended  to  the 
Ohio,  a  hostile  Indian  population  was  not  farther  than 
the  Susquehanna  and  the  Lehigh  from  Philadelphia, 
then  but  a  large  village,  with  village  habits  and  modes 
of  life.  For  all  articles  of  luxury,  and  even  many  of 
necessity,  the  colonies  were  dependent  on  the  "  Old 


THE   FITZHUGH  FAMILY.  17 

Country;"  and  the  few  ships  which  periodically  crossed 
the  Atlantic  were  freighted  with  hats,  shoes,  pins, 
needles,  and  clothing  of  all  kinds.  Mrs.  Reed,  writing 
to  her  brother,  in  1772,  sends  to  England  for  "  bowed 
cap-wires,  quilted  caps,"  and  a  gown  to  be  dyed  u  any 
color  it  will  take  best."  The  literary  taste  of  the  period 
was  the  same  prevalent  in  England,  when  the  "Idler," 
the  "  Rambler,"  "  Thomson's  Seasons,"  or  "  Young's 
Night  Thoughts,"  and  their  contemporary  books,  formed 
the  current  literature.  In  religious  history,  the  time 
was  that  of  the  supervening  of  enthusiastic  devotion 
upon  the  formalism  of  the  Church  of  England ;  of  the 
diffusion  of  the  spirit  that  animated  Wesley  and  White- 
field  to  lift  a  banner  alien  to  old  forms,  and  rally  round 
it  the  humble  and  the  poor. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  Maryland  families  was 
that  of  Fitzhugh.  It  was  ancient  and  honorable  in 
England.  The  first  settler  in  America  was  William 
Fitzhugh ;  he  made  a  home  in  Westmoreland  County, 
Yirginia,  and  married  Miss  Tucker.  From  him  de- 
scended all  the  Fitzhughs  in  "Virginia,  Maryland,  and 
Western  New  York.  William  was  an  eminent  lawyer, 
and  managed  land  causes  for  the  great  landholders.  He 
was  counselor  for  the  first  Robert  Beverley,  and  trans- 
acted business  for  Lord  Culpepper. 

Martha  Washington  is  venerated  as  the  earliest  rep- 
resentative among  the  ladies  prominent  in  our  repub- 
lican society.  She  belonged  to  the  Yirginia  school  of 
aristocracy.  The  original  settlements  of  that  colony 


18  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

were  agricultural,  and  the  early  settlers  brought  with 
them  the  feelings  and  habits  of  their  native  country. 
The  extensive  landed  proprietors  formed  a  population 
thinly  scattered  over  a  wide  surface,  and  lived  in  almost 
patriarchal  fashion.  Their  lands  had  a  multitude  of 
hands  for  cultivation  ;  but  the  only  produce  the  Virginia 
gentry  chose  to  deal  in,  was  tobacco.  They  exercised 
boundless  hospitality ;  the  gentlemen  welcomed  each 
other's  visits  and  traveled  in  something  like  feudal  state. 
The  slavery  question  was  never  agitated.  Thus,  in  the 
second  or  third  generation,  a  class  of  "first  families" 
was  built  up,  and  the  best  education  was  limited  to 
them  ;  for  there  were  no  schools  for  the  masses.  There 
existed,  therefore,  a  broad  line  of  distinction  between 
those  wealthy  proprietors  and  the  common  people.  The 
planters  had  their  tenants  and  slaves,  and  lived  luxuri- 
ously. The  emigration  of  the  cavaliers,  in  the  days  of 
Cromwell,  did  not  lessen  the  supremacy  of  this  landed 
aristocracy ;  and  the  public  offices,  in  most  cases,  passed 
into  their  hands ;  the  peasantry  being  retainers  to  their 
patrons.  There  were  scarcely  any  towns,  and  the  estab- 
lishments of  the  gentry  were  like  little  villages,  in  which 
they  and  their  vassals  dwelt.  Some,  indeed,  were  needy 
potentates,  living  in  a  rough  manner,  and  attended  by 
domestics  in  ragged  liveries ;  but  all  kept  open  house, 
were  habitually  idle,  and  loved  field-sports  like  gentle- 
men of  good  lineage.  They  were  "  horse-racing,  cock- 
fighting  Virginia  squires."  Visiting  was  done  in  pon- 
derous emblazoned  coaches.  The  hospitable  board  was 


VIEGINIA   FAMILIES.  19 

loaded  with  terrapins,  shad,  salmon,  wild  geese,  pigeons, 
plover,  canvas-back  ducks,  venison,  and  every  variety  of 
bread,  with  "  that  delicious  hotch-potch,"  gumbo,  and 
other  country  dainties.  The  laced  lappets  of  sleeves 
were  turned  up  to  carve,  and  guests  were  pressed  to 
demolish  the  various  meats  and  wash  them  down  with 
cider,  ale,  brandy,  and  Bordeaux  wine. 

Twenty-one  counties  in  Virginia,  comprising  nearly 
a  quarter  of  the  State,  are  said  to  have  once  belonged  to 
one  family — that  of  Fairfax.  Every  acre  was  confis- 
cated, after  the  Revolution,  because  of  loyalty  to  Great 
Britain.  Many  battles  of  the  late  civil  war  were  fought 
on  the  old  Fairfax  domain. 

Robert  Carter,  called  "  King  Carter,"  was  a  repre- 
sentative and  agent  of  the  Culpepper  and  Fairfax  families. 
The  Jacquelines  were  of  Huguenot  descent.  The  first 
of  the  name  came  from  Kent,  in  England,  1697,  married 
Miss  Carey,  and  settled  at  Jamestown.  The  Ambler 
family  came  also  from  England,  and  was  much  noted  in 
Virginia.  Mrs.  Edward  Carrington  was  Jacqueline's 
grand-daughter.  Thorpe  is  another  noted  name,  dear  to 
philanthropy  as  friendly  to  the  Indians  and  early  colonists. 

A  curious  incident  of  Bishop  Clagget's  consecration 
of  the  old  St.  Paul's  Church,  in  Alexandria,  is  tra- 
ditional. As  he  walked  to  church,  in  his  robes  and 
mitre,  the  boys  ran  alongside,  admiring  his  peculiar 
dress,  which  his  gigantic  stature  and  Herculean  form 
set  off.  His  voice  matched  his  frame  in  irrepressible 
strength.  As  he  entered  the  church,  amid  profound 


20  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

silence,  and  uttered  the  opening  words  of  the  service,  a 
young  lady,  turning  suddenly  and  seeing  his  huge  form 
thus  arrayed,  fell  into  violent  convulsions  and  was  taken 
out. 

The  name  of  Barradale  is  memorable  in  law,  as  well 
as  of  ancient  respectability.  Bray  and  NelsOn  are  also 
remembered.  When  the  British  were  about  landing 
from  James  River,  and  Yorktown  lay  exposed,  General 
Nelson  sent  his  wife  and  infant  to  the  upper  country. 
Near  Williamsburg  she  met  a  company  of  armed  youths, 
marching  to  encounter  the  enemy.  As  they  halted  and 
presented  arms,  she  saw  two  of  her  own  sons,  boys  who 
had  escaped  from  preparatory  school.  She  ordered  them 
into  her  carriage,  and  sent  them  back  to  Philadelphia. 

The  first  wife  of  Governor  Page  was  Frances  Bur- 
well,  of  the  Isle  of  Wight.  She  was  said  to  have  no 
enemies,  and  to  know  no  competition  but  how  to  out-do 
others  in  kindness  and  good  offices.  In  the  proud  man- 
sion of  his  forefathers,  this  patriot  soldier  had  on  his 
walls  the  portrait  of  Selim,  an  Algerine  negro,  among 
those  of  his  family. 

The  name  and  blood  of  the  Custis  family  was  inter- 
mingled with  those  of  the  best  families  of  Northampton 
and  Accomac.  John  Custis  appears  earliest  on  record, 
in  1640.  John  Custis  the  fourth,  educated  in  England, 
received  the  Arlington  estate  from  his  grandfather,  re- 
moved to  Williamsburg,  and  married  the  daughter  of 
Colonel  Daniel  Parke.  He  was  father  to  the  first  hus- 
band of  Martha  Washington. 


MES.   WASHINGTON.  21 

So  many  biographies  of  Mrs.  "Washington  have  been 
published,  that  any  sketch  of  her  life  would  be  super- 
fluous. As  a  belle  at  the  colonial  court  in  Williamsburg, 
as  a  beautiful  young  widow  reigning  among  the  chival- 
rous Yirginians,  as  the  wife  of  the  Commander-in-chief 
and  the  President  of  the  new  nation — her  benign  aspect 
is  familiar.  It  will  be  remembered  that  she  was  accus-. 
tomed  to  join  General  Washington  in  camp,  traveling 
with  postillions  in  white  and  scarlet  liveries.  During 
the  six  years  that  elapsed  before  Washington  was  chosen 
to  the  Presidency  she  remained  at  Mount  Vernon,  dis- 
pensing its  ample  hospitalities  with  gracious  tact  and 
the  dignity  of  a  Virginia  matron.  Brissot  wrote:, 
"  Every  thing  about  the  house  has  an  air  of  simplicity  ;; 
the  table  is  good,  but  not  ostentatious ;  and  no  deviation 
is  seen  from  regularity  and  domestic  economy.  She 
superintends  the  whole,  and  joins  to  the  qualities  of  an 
excellent  housewife  the  simple  dignity  which  ought  to, 
characterize  a  woman  whose  husband  has  acted  the 
greatest  part  on  the  theatre  of  human  affairs." 

At  a  brilliant  entertainment  given  in  the  camp  near 
Middlebrook,  in  celebration  of  the  anniversary  of  the 
American  alliance  with  France,  Mrs.  Washington,  Mrs. 
Greene,  Mrs.  Knox,  and  many  other  distinguished  ladies 
were  present,  forming  "  a  circle  of  brilliants."  The  fete 
was  opened  by  the  discharge  of  cannon;  there  was  a 
dinner,  and  dancing  and  fireworks  followed  in  the  even- 
ing. The  adornments  and  illuminations  were  cheap; 


22  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

the  company  consisting  of  hardy  soldiers  and  lively 
belles. 

At  a  subscription  ball  in  Philadelphia,  the  master  of 
ceremonies  distributed  partners  by  lot.  The  dances 
related  to  politics.  One  was  called  "  The  Success  of 
the  Campaign ;"  another,  "  The  Defeat  of  Eurgoyne ;" 
another,  "  Clinton's  Eetreat,"  &c.  A  young  lady  who 
in  talking  forgot  her  turn  in  the  figure,  was  sharply 
reproved  by  a  manager.  "  Take  care,  Miss  !"  he  cried. 
"  Do  you  think  you  come  here  for  your  own  pleasure  '$" 

The  Birth-night  Ball  was  instituted  at  the  close  of 
the  war.  Its  first  celebration  was  at  Alexandria,  and  it 
became  general  in  all  the  towns.  Among  the  brilliant 
illustrations  of  a  birth-night  were  groups  of  young  ladies, 
wearing  in  their  hair  bandeaux  or  scrolls  embroidered  in 
ancient  and  modern  languages  with  the  motto :  "  Long 
live  the  President."  The  last  celebration  was  attended 
by  Washington,  in  Alexandria,  February  22,  1798. 

General  Washington  came  to  Annapolis  in  Decem- 
ber, 1783,  after  his  adieu  to  the  army  in  New  York. 
Generals  Gates  and  Smallwood,  with  a  large  concourse  of 
distinguished  citizens,  met  and  escorted  him  to  the  hotel, 
amid  the  firing  of  cannon,  the  display  of  banners,  and 
other  manifestations  of  popular  respect.  A  dinner  was 
given  to  him  by  the  members  of  Congress,  at  which  two 
hundred  persons  were  present;  and  he  attended  a  grand 
ball  in  the  State  House,  which  was  brilliantly  illuminated. 
Washington  opened  the  ball  with  Mrs.  James  Macubbia, 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  women  of  the  time. 


NEW  YORK   AS  THE   CAPITAL.  23 

Mr.  Noah  "Webster  visited  Mount  Yernon  in  1785, 
when  the  old  mansion  of  the  retired  chief  was  crowded 
with  a  succession  of  guests.  He  mentioned  that  the  last 
course  at  dinner  consisted  of  pancakes,  with  a  bowl  of 
sugar  and  one  of  molasses.  Webster  refused  the  mo- 
lasses :  "  Enough  of  that  in  my  own  country,"  he  said. 
General  Washington  then  told  the  story  of  a  hogshead 
of  molasses  upset  in  a  wagon  and  stove  in,  at  Westches- 
ter ;  and  some  Maryland  troops  being  near,  the  soldiers 
running  to  fill  their  hats  and  caps. 

The  court  end  of  New  York  before  the  Revolution 
had  been  Pearl  Street,  between  Coenties  Slip  and  the 
neighboring  streets.  Wall  Street  became  a  rival  seat  of 
fashion,  surperseded  by  Park  Place.  "  Few  Americans," 
says  Mr.  Jay,  "  as  they  pass  the  northwest  corner  of 
Wall  and  Broad  Streets,  now  faced  by  the  Custom 
House  on  one  side,  and  Broad  Street  with  its  throng  of 
brokers  on  the  other,  recall  the  memorable  historic 
scenes  associated  with  the  spot  where  stood  the  old 
Federal  Hall,  adorned  with  the  portraits  of  Louis  XYI. 
and  Marie  Antoinette,  presented  by  the  French  mon- 
arch— portraits  that  graced  the  chambers  where  assem- 
bled the  first  Congress  under  the  new  Constitution. 
Washington  Irving  was  one  of  the  latest  survivors  of  the 
throng  that,  in  1789,  witnessed  from  the  balcony  of  the 
Hall  the  inauguration  of  the  first  President,  and  whose 
acclamations  greeted  the  announcement  by  Chancellor 
Livingston :  '  Long  live  George  Washington,  President 
of  the  United  States !'  It  should  not  be  forgotten  by 


24  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

New  Yorkers  that  on  the  same  spot  were  heard,  in  the 
Senate,  the  voices  of  John  Langdon,  Oliver  Ellsworth, 
Charles  Carroll.  Richard  Henry  Lee,  and  Ralph  Izard ; 
and,  in  the  Chamber  of  Representatives,  the  voices  of 
Elbridge  Gerry,  Roger  Sherman,  Jeremiah  Wadsworth, 
Elias  Boudinot,  Frederick  A.  Muhlenberg,  James  Mad- 
ison, and  that  greatest  of  American  orators,  Fisher 
Ames." 

A  ball  was  given  at  the  Assembly  Rooms,  on  the  east 
side  of  Broadway,  above  Wall  Street  (New  York  was 
then  the  capital),  on  the  7th  May,  1789,  to  celebrate  the 
inauguration.  The  members  of  Congress  and  their  fam- 
ilies were  present,  with  the  ministers  of  France  and 
Spain,  distinguished  generals  of  the  army,  and  persons 
eminent  in  the  State.  Among  the  most  noted  ladies 
were  Mrs.  Jay,  Mrs.  Hamilton,  and  Mrs.  Montgomery, 
the  widow  pf  the  hero  of  Quebec.  A  specialty  at  this 
ball  was  the  presentation  by  the  committee,  to  each  lady, 
of  a  fan  made  in  Paris,  the  ivory  frame  containing  a 
medallion  portrait  of  Washington,  in  profile.  These 
fans  were  presented  to  the  ladies  as  each  couple  passed 
the  receiver  of  tickets.  It  was  of  this  ball  that  an 
account  was  published  by  Jefferson  in  his  "Ana,"  upon 
insufficient  authority.  Washington  danced  in  two  cotil- 
lions and  a  minuet.  Colonel  Stone,  in  describing  this 
ball,  says:  "Few  jewels  were  then  worn  in  the  United 
States,  but  in  other  respects  the  costumes  were  rich  and 
beautiful,  according  to  the  fashions  of  the  day.  One 
favorite  dress  was  a  plain  celestial-blue  satin  gown,  with 


THE  INAUGURATION  BALL.  25 

a  white  satin  petticoat.  On  the  neck  was  worn  a  very 
large  Italian  gauze  handkerchief,  with  border  stripes  of 
satin.  The  head-dress  was  a  puff  of  gauze  in  the  form 
of  a  globe,  the  head-piece  of  which  was  composed  of  white 
satin,  having  a  double  wing  in  large  plaits,  and  trimmed 
with  a  wreath  of  artificial  roses-,  falling  from  the  left  at 
the  top  to  the  right  at  the  bottom  in  front,  the  reverse 
behind.  The  hair  was  dressed  all  over  in  detached  curls, 
four  of  which,  in  two  ranks,  fell  on  ea.ch  side  of  the  neck, 
and  were  relieved  behind  by  a  floating  chignon" 

Some  of  the  ladies  wore  hats  of  white  satin,  with 
plumes  and  cockades.  A  plain  gauze  handkerchief, 
sometimes  striped  with  satin,  was  worn  on  the  neck,  the 
ends  tied  under  the  bodice. 

In  the  evening  of  the  inauguration,  the  house  of 
Count  de  Moustier — near  Bowling  Green,  in  Broadway — 
was  brilliantly  illuminated,  the  doors  and^  windows  dis- 
playing borderings  of  lamps  that  shone  on  paintings 
suggestive  of  the  past,  present,  and  future  in  American 
history.  There  were  large  transparencies  over  the  front 
of  the  house,  said  to  be  painted  by  Madame  de  Brehan, 
Bister  to  the  Count. 

The  subject  of  the  President's  title  had  caused  much 
discussion  in  society.  Madison  recommended  that  he  be 
spoken  of  simply  as  "  The  President,"  or  "  The  Chief 
Justice;"  McKean  proposed  "His  Serene  Highness," 
without  the  "  most,"  as  a  title  that  had  not  been  appro- 
priated in  Europe.  General  Muhleuberg  thought  Wash- 
ington would  like  the  title  "  High  Mightiness,"  used  by 


26  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

the  Stadtliolder  of  Holland.  The  General,  dining  with 
Washington,  observed  on  the  subject:"  "If  the  office 
could  always  be  held  by  men  as  large  as  yourself  or 
Wynkoop,  it  would  be  appropriate ;  but  if  by  chance  a 
president  as  small  as  my  opposite  neighbor  were  elected, 
it  would  be  ridiculous."  He  therefore  voted  against  any 
title. 

More  than  a  month  after  the  inauguration,  Mrs. 
Washington  set  out  for  New  York  with  her  grandchil- 
dren, Eleanor  Custis  and  George  Washington  Parke 
Custis,  traveling  in  her  private  carriage,  with  a  small 
escort  on  horseback.  She  was  received  at  Hammond's 
Ferry  by  a  deputation  of  citizens ;  and  fireworks,  a 
supper,  and  a  serenade  celebrated  her  arrival.  Her 
dress  was  entirely  of  American  manufacture.  Informa- 
tion being  sent  to  Philadelphia  that  she  would  breakfast 
in  Chester,  two  troops  of  dragoons,  under  Captains 
Miles  and  Bingham,  left  town  early,  with  a  numerous 
cavalcade  of  citizens,  and  halted  at  ten  miles  distance  to 
await  her  appearance.  The  military  formed  and  re- 
ceived her  with  honors,  the  procession  defiling  on  either 
side  for  her  carriage  to  pass.  At  Darby,  se^en  miles 
from  Philadelphia,  she  was  met  by  a  brilliant  company 
of  ladies  in  carriages,  who  escorted  her  to  Gray's  Ferry; 
on  the  Schuylkill.  At  that  favorite  resort  a  collation 
was  prepared,  at  a  fashionable  inn,  for  more  than  a 
hundred  persons. 

Mrs.  Eobert  Morris,  who  was  to  entertain  Mrs. 
Washington,  here  took  a  seat  in  her  carriage,  resigning 


THE   PROGRESS  TO  NEW  YORK.  27 

her  own  to  young  Custis.  About  two  o'clock  the  pro- 
cession entered  High  Street,  amid  the  ringing  of  bells, 
the  firing  of  thirteen  guns,  and  shouts  of  joy  from  the 
people.  Mrs.  Washington  thanked  them,  and  dismissed 
her  escort.  The  doors  of  Mrs.  Morris  were  thronged 
with  visitors  next  day. 

Such  a  reception  may  have  recalled  to  the  memory 
of  Mrs.  Washington  the  disaffection  shown  her  on  an 
earlier  visit  to  Philadelphia,  during  the  war,  when  she 
was  waited  on  with  a  request  that  she  would  not  attend 
a  ball  in  preparation. 

Mrs.  Morris  accompanied  her  when  she  left  Philadel- 
phia. The  party  slept  at  Trenton,  and  at  Elizabethtown 
were  the  guests  of  the  venerable  Mr.  Livingston.  The 
President  left  New  York  at  five  o'clock,  in  his  barge, 
manned  by  thirteen  pilots  in  rich  white  dresses,  to  meet 
his  wife.  A  crowd  gathered  on  the  wharves  to  greet  the 
returning  vessel,  and  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns  was  fired 
as  it  approached  the  Battery. 

The  winter  of  1787-88  had  been  remarkably  gay  in 
JSTew  York.  William  Livingston,  in  a  letter  written  in 
March,  1787,  alludes  to  the  extravagance  and  dissipation 
of  fashionable  life  in  that  city.  "  My  principal  secretary 
of  state,"  he  says,  "  who  is  one  of  my  daughters,  is  gone 
to  New  York,  to  shake  her  heels  at  the  balls  and  assem- 
blies of  a  metropolis  which  might  as  well  be  more  stu- 
dious of  paying  its  taxes  than  of  instituting  expensive 
diversions." 

The  residence  of  President  Washington  was  on  the 


28  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

spot  now  known  as  the  corner  of  Cherry  Street  and 
Franklin  Square.  The  house  had  plain  furniture.  The 
family  plate  had  been  melted  and  renovated.  The  state 
coach  was  the  finest  carriage  in  the  city,  and  was  drawn 
by  four  horses ;  by  six,  when  it  conveyed  the  President 
to  Federal  Hall.  The  coach-body  was  in  the  shape  of  a 
hemisphere,  cream-colored,  and  ornamented  with  cupids 
supporting  festoons,  with  borders  of  flowers  around  the 
panels. 

The  principal  ladies  of  New  York,  at  the  time  the 
"Republican  Court"  was  established  there,  were  Mrs. 
George  Clinton,  Mrs.  Montgomery,  Lady  Stirling,  Lady 
Kitty  Duer,  Lady  Mary  Watts,  Lady  Temple,  Lady 
Christiana  Griffin,  the  Marchioness  de  Brehan,  Madame 
de  la  Forest,  Mrs.  John  Langdon,  Mrs.  Tristram  Dalton, 
Mrs.  Kuox,  Mrs.  Robert  R.  Livingston,  of  Clermont,  the 
Misses  Livingston,  Mrs.  Thompson,  Mrs.  Gerry,  Mrs. 
McComb,  Mrs.  Edgar,  Mrs.  Lynch,  Mrs.  Houston,  Mrs. 
Provost,  Mrs.  Beekman,  the  Misses  Bayard,  &c. 

Mr.  Wingate  describes  the  dinner  given  at  Wash 
uigton's  house  the  day  after  his  wife's  arrival,  as  the 
least  showy  of  any  he  ever  saw  at  the  President's 
table.  The  Chief  said  grace  and  dined  on  boiled  leg 
of  mutton.  After  dessert  one  glass  of  wine  was 
offered  to  each  guest,  and  when  it  had  been  drunk, 
the  President  rose  and  led  the  way  to  the  drawing- 
room.  Two  days  afterwards  Mrs.  Washington  held 
her  first  levee,  the  President  continuing  to  receive 
every  Tuesday  afternoon.  Mrs.  Washington  received 


MES.  WASHINGTON'S  LEVEES— BALL.  29 

from  eight  to  ten  every  Friday  evening.  The  levees 
were  numerously  attended  by  all  that  was  fashiona- 
ble, elegant,  or  refined  in  society ;  but  "  there  were 
no  places  for  the  intrusion  of  the  rabble  in  crowds,  or 
for  the  mere  coarse  and  boisterous  partisan,  the  vul- 
gar electioneerer,  or  the  impudent  place-hunter,  with 
boots,  frock-coats,  or  roundabouts,  or  with  patched  knees 
and  holes  at  both  elbows.  On  the  contrary,  they  were 
select  and  more  courtly  than  have  been  given  by  any  of 
the  President's  successors."  Mrs.  Washington  was  care- 
ful, in  her  drawing-room,  to  exact  those  courtesies  to 
which  she  knew  her  husband  entitled.  "  Democratic 
rudeness  had  not  then  so  far  gained  the  ascendency  as 
to  banish  good  manners."  "  Xone  were  admitted  to  the 
levees  but  those  who  had  either  a  right  by  official  station 
or  by  established  merit  and  character ;  and  full  dress 
was  required  of  all." 

The  journals  of  the  day  especially  noted  a  magnifi- 
cent ball  given  by  Count  de  Moustier  at  his  house.  A 
lady  said  she  heard  the  Marchioness  declare  she  had 
exhausted  every  resource  to  produce  an  entertainment 
worthy  of  France,  and  Elias  Boudinot  calls  it  "  a  most 
splendid  ball  indeed.  After  the  arrival  of  the  President, 
a  company  of  eight  couples  formed,  and,  entering  the 
room,  began  a  curious  dance  called  en  ~ballet.  Four  of 
the  gentlemen  were  dressed  in  French  regimentals,  and 
four  in  American  uniforms;  four  of  the  ladies  had 
American  flowers  with  blue  ribbons  round  their  heads, 
and  four  had  red  roses  and  the  flowers  of  France." 


30  QUEENS  OF  AMEEICAN  SOCIETY. 

"Three  rooms  were  filled,  and  the  fourth  was  elegantly 
set  off  as  a  place  for  refreshment.  A  long  table  crossed 
this  room  in  the  middle,  and  the  whole  wall  inside  was 
lighted  up,  and  covered  with  shelves  filled  with  cakes, 
oranges,  apples,  wines  of  all  sorts,  ice-creams,  &c.  A 
number  of  servants  behind  the  table  supplied  the  guests 
with  every  thing  they  wanted  from  time  to  time,  as  they 
came  in  to  refresh  themselves,  which  they  did  as  often  as 
a  party  had  done  dancing,  making  room  for  another  set. 
We  retired  about  ten  o'clock,  in  the  height  of  the 
jollity." 

The  anniversary  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
was  celebrated  by  a  brilliant  ball,  at  which  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington and  the  principal  ladies  of  "her  court"  were 
present. 

At  the  Presidential  receptions  Washington  wore  "his 
hair  powdered  and  gathered  behind  in  a  silk  bag.  His 
coat  and  breeches  were  of  plain  black  velvet ;  he  wore  a 
white  or  pearl-colored  vest  and  yellow  gloves,  and  had 
a  cocked  hat  in  his  hand,  with  silver  knee  and  shoe 
buckles,  and  a  long  sword,  with  a  finely-wrought  and 
glittering  steel  hilt.  The  coat  was  worn  over  this  and 
its  scabbard  of  polished  white  leather."  He  never  shook 
hands  at  these  receptions,  even  with  intimate  friends.: 
Visitors  were  received  with  a  dignified  bow,  and  passed 
on.  At  Mrs.  Washington's  levees  he  appeared  as  a 
private  gentleman,  with  neither  hat  nor  sword ;  con- 
vening without  restraint,  and  generally  with  ladies. 

Private  theatricals  were  sometimes  given  at  Wash- 


MRS.  ROBERT   MORRIS.  31 

<ngton  s  house.  President  Duer  enacted  Brutus,  in 
"  Julius  Csesar,"  before  him  in  the  attic  of  the  Presi- 
dential mansion,  young  Custis  taking  the  part  of 
Cassius. 

At  one  of  Mrs.  Washington's  Friday  evening  draw- 
ing-rooms, owing  to  the  lowness  of  the  ceiling,  the 
ostrich  feathers  in  the  head-dress  of  Miss  Mary  McEvers, 
a  distinguished  belle  in  New  York,  took  fire  from  the 
chandelier,  to  the  general  confusion  and  alarm.  Major 
Jackson,  aid-de-camp  to  the  President,  flew  to  the  rescue, 
and,  clapping  the  burning  plumes  between  his  hands, 
extinguished  them.  This  lady  married  Edward  Living- 
ston, the  minister  to  France. 

At  Mrs.  Washington's  drawing-rooms,  "  Mrs.  Morris 
always  sat  at  her  right  hand ;  and  at  all  the  dinners, 
public  or  private,  at  which  Robert  Morris  was  a  guest, 
that  venerable  man  was  placed  at  the  right  of  Mrs. 
Washington."  At  the  age  of  thirty-six,  Eobert  Morris 
had  married  Miss  White,  the  sister  of  Bishop  White. 
She  was  described  as  "  a  lady  of  elegant  accomplish- 
ments, rich,  and  well  qualified  to  carry  the  felicity  of 
connubial  life  to  its  highest  perfection." 

Mrs.  Washington  was  accustomed  to  speak  of  her 
days  of  public  life  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia  as  her 
"lost  days."  She  preferred  home  comforts  and  seclu- 
sion. Contrasting  the  pictures,  Mrs.  Carrington  wrote 
to  her  sister,  a  short  time  before  Washington's  death, 
describing  his  wife's  room  at  Mount  Yernon  :  "  On  one 
side  sits  the  chambermaid  with  her  knitting;  on  the 


82  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

other  a  little  colored  pet  learning  to  sew.  A  decent- 
looking  old  woman  is  there,  with  her  table  and  shears, 
cutting  out  the  negroes'  winter  clothes;  while  the  good 
old  lady  directs  them  all,  incessantly  knitting  herself. 
She  points  out  to  me  several  pairs  of  nice  colored  stock- 
ings and  gloves  she  has  just  finished,  and  presents  me 
with  a  pair  half  done,  which  she  begs  I  will  finish,  and 
wear  for  her  sake." 

Loving  such  simple,  domestic  employments,  and 
wearied  with  the  glare,  no  wonder  the  illustrious  lady 
was  restive  under  the  etiquette  of  public  life. 

The  custom  of  calls  on  ISTew  Year's  day  was  intro- 
duced by  the  Dutch  and  the  Huguenots.  The  President 
received  calls  on  the  first  of  January,  1790.  At  Mrs. 
Washington's  levee  the  visitors  were  seated,  and  tea  and 
coffee  were  handed,  with  plain  and  plum  cake.  The 
company  was  expected  to  retire  early.  "  The  General 
retires  at  nine,  and  I  usually  precede  him,"  the  lady 
would  say. 

To  an  inquiry  by  the  President  whether  such  obser- 
vances were  casual  or  customary,  it  was  answered  that 
New  Tear's  visits  had  always  been  kept  up  in  the  city. 
Washington  remarked  that  the  favored  situation  of  New 
York  would  in  time  attract  numerous  emigrants,  who 
would  gradually  change  its  ancient  customs  and  man- 
ners; but,  he  added,  "whatever  change  takes  place, 
never  forget  this  cordial  and  cheerful  observance  of 
•New  Year's  day." 

Curwen,  in  his  Journal,  gives,  as  the  origin  of  the 


PROMINENT  LADIES.  S3 

custom  of  offering  New  Year's  presents,  the  tradition 
that  Tatius,  King  of  the  Sabines,  was  presented  with 
boughs  from  the  forest  of  the  goddess  Strenia,  in  token 
of  good-will,  and  consecrated  the  holiday  to  Janus. 
The  people  sacrificed  to  Janus,  and  brought  presents 
of  dates,  figs,  honej,  &c.,  covered  with  leaf-gold. 

Of  New  York,  Brissot  wrote :  "  The  inhabitants  pre- 
fer the  splendor  of  wealth  and  the  show  of  enjoyment  to 
a  simplicity  of  manners  and  the  pure  pleasures  resulting 
from  it.  The  expenses  of  women  cause  matrimony  to 
be  dreaded  by  men."  But  when  Oliver  Wolcott,  in 
1789,  was  appointed  Auditor  of  the  Treasury,  he  wrote 
to  Ellsworth  about  the  cost  of  living,  and  was  informed 
that  a  thousand  dollars  a  year  ought  to  supply  him  and 
his  family.  "  The  example  of  the  President,"  said  his 
correspondent,  "  and  his  family,  will  render  parade  and 
expense  improper  and  disreputable." 

Among  the  ladies  most  intimate  with  Mrs.  Washing- 
ton, beside  Mrs.  Knox,  Mrs.  Hamilton,  Mrs.  Morris,  and 
Mrs.  Powell,  were  Mrs.  Bradford,  Mrs.  Otis,  and  Miss 
Eoss.  Mrs.  Otis  was  the  wife  of  the  Secretary  of  the 
Senate,  and  mother  of  the  great  Senator,  Harrison  Gray 
Otis,  who  married  in  Boston,  May,  1790,  Miss  Sally 
Foster,  daughter  of  a  prominent  merchant.  She  was 
remarkable  for  beauty  of  person  and  grace  of  demeanor, 
vivacity  of  wit,  and  powerful  intellect.  She  was  promi- 
nent in  metropolitan  society  during  the  administration 
of  Washington.  Mrs.  Stewart,  also  noted  in  the  same 

circle,  was  the  wife  of  General  Walter  Stewart ;   and 
2* 


84  QUEENS  OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Miss  Ross  was  the  beautiful  daughter  of  a  Senator  from 
Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Bradford  was  the  only  child  of  Elias  Boudinot, 
and  married  William  Bradford,  afterwards  judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania.  Her  house  was  always 
the  elegant  abode  of  the  most  cordial  hospitality.  Her 
graces  of  person  were  so  remarkable,  that  even  at  the 
age  of  four-score  her  appearance  was  strikingly  prepos- 
sessing, and  her  carriage  was  stately  as  ever.  Her 
suavity  of  manner  and  kindness  of  heart  were  also 
memorable.  Mrs.  Wallace,  the  wife  of  a  nephew  of 
Mr.  Bradford's,  thus  described  her  : — 

"  Mrs.  Bradford  is  one  of  the  finest  models  of  mild 
and  courtly  dignity  this  country  can  exhibit.  Early 
accustomed  to  the  best  society,  of  a  family  and  connec- 
tions holding  rank  and  offices  of  trust  and  honor — her 
happy  and  much  caressed  girlhood  was  passed  in  inter- 
course with  persons  long  since  the  boast  of  the  brightest 
days  of  American  refinement  and  patriotism.  With  her 
husband  she  commanded  a  sphere  of  extensive  influence, 
the  just  desert  of  their  united  excellencies,  and  lived 
more  than  ten  years  in  the  full  possession  of  every 
earthly  enjoyment.  Well  for  them  they  lived  as  Chris- 
tians ought  to  live,  in  constant  remembrance  of  their 
accountability  to  God  !  for  in  the  height  of  distinction 
their  well-planned  schemes  of  happiness  were  laid  in  the 
dust  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Bradford.  For  many  years 
afterward  Mrs.  Bradford  maintained  a  position  of  useful- 


BELLES   IN   SOCIETY.  35 

jess,  dispensing  elegant  hospitality  to  her  numerous 
relatives  and  friends." 

This  lady,  Mrs.  Hamilton,  and  the  younger  Mrs. 
Charles  Carroll,  were  the  last  survivors  of  the  ladies  of 
the  Republican  Court.  Mrs.  Carroll  was  Harriet  Chew, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Chew,  and  was  married  after  the 
retirement  of  Washington  to  Mount  Yernon.  One  of 
her  sisters  married  Henry  Philips;  another,  Colonel 
John  Eager  Howard,  of  Baltimore,  coming  to  live  in 
Philadelphia  in  1796.  These  ladies  were  great  favorites 
with  Washington,  and  were  belles  in  society.  Julia 
Seymour  was  another  celebrated  beauty.  Miss  Mary 
Ann  Wolcott,  also  distinguished  for  charms  of  person, 
was  married  to  Chauncey  Goodrich,  of  New  York, 
llrs.  Wolcott,  of  Connecticut,  had  less  beauty,  but  was 
noted  for  graceful  manners,  and  few  could  be  compared 
with  her  for  culture,  intelligence,  and  refinement.  The 
British  minister  remarked  to  Tracy  at  a  dance:  "Your 
countrywoman,  Mrs.  Wolcott,  would  be  admired  even 
at  St.  James's." — "  Sir,"  replied  the  senator,  "  she  is  ad- 
mired even  on  Litchfield  Hill."  A  member  of  Congress 
called  her  "  a  divine  woman ;"  another,  "  the  magnificent 
Mrs.  Wolcott ;"  and  some  compared  her  to  Mrs.  Bing- 
ham. 

The  family  of  Charles  Carroll  had  been  settled  in 
Maryland  ever  since  the  reign  of  James  the  Second. 
They  were  among  the  wealthiest  in  the  Union,  and 
stood  at  the  head  of  the  landed  aristocracy,  which  was 
naturally  in  alliance  with  the  Government.  Yet  Carroll 


36  QUEENS   OF  AMEKICAN  SOCIETY. 

was  among  the  first  to  sign  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence. "  There  go  millions  of  property  1"  was  the  com- 
ment ;  and  when  it  was  said,  "  You  will  get  clear ;  there 
are  so  many  of  the  name,"  he  added  to  his  signature, 
"  of  Carrollton."  He  was  senator  from  Maryland.  He 
had  '  •  one  fair  daughter,"  Polly,  who  was  married  in 
1786  to  Eichard  Caton,  an  Englishman.  In  1809  two 
of  her  daughters  were  the  reigning  belles  of  Baltimore 
and  Washington.  The  eldest  had  a  romantic  history. 
She  was  married,  when  very  young,  to  Robert  Patter- 
son, a  wealthy  merchant.  Traveling  in  Europe,  she 
attracted  the  attention  of  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley,  after- 
wards the  Duke  of  Wellington.  He  was  so  captivated 
with  her,  that  he  followed  her  over  half  the  European 
continent,  causing  some  scandal,  notwithstanding  her 
prudence,  by  his  unguarded  devotion.  After  Mrs.  Pat- 
terson's return  to  Maryland,  her  admirer  kept  a  diary 
for  her  amusement,  and  sent  her  letters.  After  she 
became  a  widow  she  revisited  London;  but  the  future 
hero  of  Waterloo  was  then  a  married  man.  He  intro- 
duced to  her  his  elder  brother,  the  Marquis  of  Welles 
ley ;  the  great  statesman  whose  outset  in  life  was  marked 
by  a  cordial  support  of  American  Independence.  He 
was  Yiceroy  of  Ireland.  He  married  Mrs.  Patterson, 
while  Sir  Arthur  continued  her  warm  friend.  The  Mar 
chioness  of  Wellesley  died  at  Hampton  Court  in  Decem- 
ber, 1853.  One  of  her  sisters  was  the  wife  of  Colonel 
Harvey,  aid-de-camp  to  Lord  Wellington  at  the  battle 
of  Waterloo ;  and,  being  widowed,  married  the  Marquis 


MRS.  THOMAS  JEFFERSON.  37 

of  Carmarthen,  afterwards  Duke  of  Leeds.  Another 
daughter  of  Mrs.  Caton  married  Baron  Stafford;  an- 
other, Mr.  McTavish,  of  Baltimore. 

In  1796,  General  Washington  received  as  a  guest,  at 
Mount  Vernon,  Don  Carlos  Martinez,  Marquis  d'Yrujo, 
the  newly  arrived  Spanish  ambassador,  who  had  suc- 
ceeded Jaudennes.  The  Marquis  had  not  been  long  in 
Philadelphia  before  he  fell  in  love  with  Sally,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  McKean,  Chief- Justice  of  Pennsylvania. 
Miss  McKean,  a  celebrated  beauty,  became  the  Mar- 
chioness d'Yrujo.  Her  son,  the  Duke  of  Sotomayer, 
who  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  became  the  Prime  Minis- 
ter of  Spain. 

Henry  Wansey,  in  his  Travels,  also -speaks  of  the 
simple  manners  of  Washington  and  his  family.  He 
breakfasted  with  them,  June  8,  1794,  and  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington made  the  tea  and  coffee.  There  were  plates  of 
sliced  tongue,  dry  toast,  and  bread  and  butter. 

The  wife  of  Thomas  Jefferson  was  Mrs.  Martha 
Skelton,  a  rich  widow,  twenty-three  at  her  second  nup- 
tials. She  was  of  good  family,  beautiful,  accomplished, 
and  greatly  admired.  The  story  went,  that  two,  among 
the  many  suitors  for  her  hand,  going  severally  to  her 
house  on  the  same  errand,  to  learn  their  fate  from  her 
decision,  met  in  the  hall,  where  they  heard  her  playing 
on  the  harpsichord  and  singing  a  love-song,  accompanied 
by  Jefferson's  voice  and  violin.  Something  in  the  song 
or  the  manner  of  the  singing  satisfied  both  wooers  of  the 
folly  of  their  hopes,  and  they  withdrew.  The  statesman 


38  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

was  fond  of  the  violin.  When  his  paternal  home  was 
burned  he  asked,  "Are  all  the  books  destroyed  ?"— "  Yes, 
massa,"  was  the  reply,  "  dey  is ;  but  we  saved  de  fiddle." 

Thomas  Jefferson  kept  open  house,  it  is  said,  and  a 
liberal  table.  His  eldest  daughter,  Martha,  was  born  in 
1772.  John  Randolph  called  her  "  the  sweetest  young 
creature  in  Virginia."  She  was  intrusted  in  Paris  to 
the  care  of  Mrs.  Adams,  and  pleased  every  one  by  the 
good  feeling  and  kindness  expressed  in  her  conversation. 
Mrs.  Smith  wrote :  "  Delicacy  and  sensibility  are  read  in 
her  every  feature,  and  her  manners  are  in  unison  with  all 
that  is  amiable  and  lovely."  While  Martha  was  at 
school  in  Philadelphia,  1783,  boarding  with  Mrs.  Trist, 
her  father  wrote :  "  With  respect  to  the  distribution  of 
time,  the  following  is  what  I  should  approve :  From 
eight  to  ten,  practice  music ;  from  ten  to  one,  dance  one 
day  and  draw  another;  from  one  to  two,  draw  on  the 
day  you  dance,  and  write  a  letter  next  day ;  from  three 
to  four,  read  French ;  from  four  to  five,  exercise  yourself 
in  music ;  from  five  till  bedtime,  read  English,  write,  &c. 
Communicate  this  plan  to  Mrs.  Hopkinson,  and,  if  she 
approve  of  it,  pursue  it." 

Miss  Jefferson  was  educated  in  Philadelphia  and  in 
Europe.  She  married  Thomas  Mann  Randolph,  of 
Tuckahoe,  "  a  gentleman  of  genius,  science,  and  honor- 
able mind,"  who  afterwards  filled  a  dignified  station  in 
the  General  Government,  and  the  highest  in  his  own 
State.  They  lived  in  Virginia. 

Mrs.  Graydon  was  born  in  the  island  of  Barbadoes, 


BELLES   IN  SOCIETY.  39 

but  came  very  young  to  Philadelphia.  Dr.  Baird  called 
her  "  the  finest  girl  in  Philadelphia,  having  the  manners 
of  a  lady  bred  at  court."  After  her  marriage  to  Mr. 
Gray  don,  their  house  was  the  resort  of  numerous  distin- 
guished guests,  who  were  hospitably  entertained.  Among 
the  foreigners  were,  Baron  de  Kalb ;  Lady  Moore,  the 
wife  of  Sir  Henry  Moore ;  and  her  daughter,  Lady  Susan 
O'Brien  ;  and  her  husband,  Major  George  Etherington  ; 
Sir  William  Draper,  and  others.  During  the  War  of 
the  Revolution,  Mrs.  Graydon  went  from  her  home  in 
Reading  to  Philadelphia,  to  solicit  the  release  of  her  son 
Alexander  from  Sir  William  Howe.  She  met  with 
many  curious  adventures,*  but  succeeded  in  her  object. 

Margaretta  Faugeres,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Bleecker, 
was  distinguished  in  Xew  York  fashionable  society,  after 
the  war,  as  a  highly  gifted  and  accomplished  woman. 
She  died  at  twenty-nine. 

The  daughters  of  Henry  White,  who  married  Miss 
Yan  Cortlandt,  were  greatly  admired ;  the  family  hold- 
ing a  high  position  among  loyalists  before  and  during 
the  Revolutionary  war.  They  lived  in  Wall  Street, 
near  Broadway.  One  of  the  Misses  White  was  dowager 
Lady  Hayes,  and  the  widow  of  Peter  Jay  Monroe. 
Mrs.  White  possessed  great  wealth,  "  and  her  recollec- 
tions of  New  York  society  were  curious."  I  find  thus 
quoted  an  old  citizen's  reminiscences : — 

"  You  must  remember  the  Misses  White,  so  gay  and 

*  Women  of  the  American  Revolution. 


40  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

fashionable  ;  so  charming  in  conversation,  with  such 
elegant  figures  !  I  remember  going  one  night,  with  Sir 
John  Temple  and  Henry  Remsen,  to  a  party  at  their 
house.  I  was  dressed  in  a  light-blue  French  coat,  with 
high  collar,  broad  lapels,  and  large  gilt  buttons ;  a 
double-breasted  Marseilles  vest,  nankeen-colored  cassi- 
mere  breeches,  with  white  silk  stockings,  shining  pumps, 
and  full  ruffles  on  my  breast  and  at  my  wrists,  together 
with  a  ponderous  white  cravat  with  a  pudding  in  it,  as 
we  then  called  it.  I  was  considered  the  best  dressed 
gentleman  in  the  room.  I  remember  to  have  walked  a 
minuet  with  much  grace  with  my  friend  Mrs.  Yerplanck, 
who  was  dressed  in  hoop  and  petticoats ;  and,  singularly 
enough,  I  caught  cold  that  night  from  drinking  hot  port- 
wine  negus,  and  riding  home  in  a  sedan-chair  with  one 
of  the  glasses  broken." 


THE  LIVINGSTON  FAMILY.  41 


II. 


THE  Livingstons  in  America,  at  the  time  of  the 
Revolution,  according  to  Mr.  Theodore  Sedgwick,  in 
his  life  of  Governor  Livingston,  were  descended  from 
Kobert,  the  second  son  of  the  fourth  Lord  Livingston  of 
Scotland,  whose  daughter  was  in  attendance  upon  the 
Scottish  Queen  at  the  French  Court.  At  a  later  day 
the  seventh  Lord  Livingston  was  made  Earl  of  Linlith- 
gow,  and  the  earldom  continued  in  the  family  for  five 
generations.  Eobert  was  born  in  1654,  emigrated  to 
America  1674,  and  married,  about  1683,  Alida,  widow 
of  the  Reverend,  sometimes  called  Patron  Nicholas  Yan 
Rensselaer,  and  daughter  of  Philip.  Pieterre  Schuyler. 
The  patent  of  the  Manor  and  Lordship  of  Livingston 
granted  to  Robert  bears  date  the  22d  of  July,  1686,  and 
comprised  from  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  to 
one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  acres  on  the  Hudson 
River.  His  son,  Philip  Livingston,  who  succeeded  to  the 
manorial  estate,  born  at  Albany  in  1686,  and  prominent 
in  the  history  of  the  Colony,  married  Catherine  Van 
Brugh,  daughter  of  Peter  Yan  Brugh,  of  Albany,  of  the 
Dutch  family  of  Yan  Brugge,  of  whom  was  Carl  Yan 
Brugge,  Lieutenant-Governor  under  Peter  Stuyvesant 
in  1648. 


42  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Among  the  children  by  this  marriage  were  .Robert, 
who  succeeded  to  the  manor  as  the  last  lord — the  Eevo- 
lution  breaking  the  entail ;  and  Peter  Yan  Brugh,  mer- 
chant, of  New  York,  who  married  Mary  Alexander, 
sister  of  Lord  Stirling,  both  adhering  to  the  British 
during  the  war;  with  Philip,  the  signer  of  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence ;  John,  merchant,  of  New 
York ;  William,  Governor  of  New  Jersey ;  Sarah, 
wife  of  Alexander,  Lord  Stirling ;  Alida,  who  mar- 
ried, first,  Henry  Hausen ;  and  secondly,  Martin  Hoff- 
man ;  Catharine,  who  married  John  L.  Laurence,  and 
Henry. 

William  Livingston,  born  1723,  married,  in  1745, 
Susannah  French,  of  New  Brunswick,  a  grand-daughter 
of  Philip  French,  an  English  gentleman.* 

Governor  Livingston's  political  principles  were  deci- 
dedly Republican,  and  he  declined  to  give  to  his  country- 
seat  at  Elizabethtown  any  name  more  aristocratic  than 
"Liberty  Hall."  He  was  a  man  of  marked  ability, 
decided  in  his  views,  and  fearless  in  their  expression ;  a 

*  Mr.  French  at  one  time  owned  a  tract  in  New  Jersey,  comprising 
what  is  now  New  Brunswick.  Miss  French  was  grand-daughter  on  her 
mother's  aide  to  Anthony  Brockhold,  Lieutenant-G-overnor  of  the  Colony 
of  New  York  under  Andross,  and  subsequently  its  chief  magistrate. 
Philip  French,  of  England,  married  a  daughter  of  Frederick  Philipse,  or, 
as  formerly  written,  Flypsen,  a  Protestant  refugee  from  Bohemia,  where 
his  father  had  lost  his  life.  The  other  children  of  Philipse  were  Eva 
(who  married  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt,  and  became  the  mother  of  Mary 
Van  Cortlaodt,  wife  of  Peter  Jay,  and  mother  of  John  Jay)  and  two 
sons,  Frederick  and  Adolphus.  A  grandson,  also  named  Frederick,  and 
the  inheritor  of  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  joined  the  Tories  in  the  Revo- 
lution, and  his  estate  was  confiscated. 


THE   LIVINGSTON   FAMILY.  43 

forcible  writer,  and  exhibiting  at  times  great  power  of 
satire. 

Sarah  Van  Brugh,  his  fourth  daughter,  born  in 
August,  1757,  inherited  some  of  his  finest  traits,  intel- 
lectual and  moral,  which  were  developed  by  a  very 
careful  education,  while  with  the  father's  stern  patriot- 
ism and  resolution  she  blended  features  of  gentleness, 
grace,  and  beauty  peculiarly  her  own.  The  delicate 
sensibility  occasionally  exhibited  in  her  letters  seems  to 
have  come  from  her  mother. 

The  family  of  Governor  Livingston  was  a  large  one, 
and  besides  sons,  who  died  young,  there  were  four  other 
daughters :  Susan,  who  married  John  Cleve  Syrnmes ; 
Kitty,  who  married  Mathew  Ridley,  of  Baltimore ;  Ju- 
dith, who  married  John  W.  "Watkins;  and  Mary,  who 
married  James  Linn. 

When  the  Governor's  house  was  forcibly  entered  at 
night  by  British  soldiers,  in  February,  1779,  not  finding 
him,  they  demanded  his  papers.  Miss  Susan  Livingston 
had  been  prepared  for  this  visit,  and  quietly  assented, 
claiming  only  safety  for  a  box  containing  "  her  private 
property."  The  officer  set  a  guard  over  it,  while  the 
library  was  ransacked,  and  the  men  filled  their  foraging 
bags  with  worthless  law  papers,  and  then  quitted  the 
house.  The  box  thus  saved  contained  the  Governor's 
correspondence  with  Congress,  the  Commander-in-Chief, 
and  State  officers. 

In  one  of  Livingston's  letters  to  the  Earl  of  Stirling, 
he  says  he  has  intrusted  to  his  daughter  Catherine  his 


44  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

dispatches  to  his  correspondents  in  Spain.  General 
Washington's  complimentary  note  to  this  lady  was  first 
published  in  "  The  Women  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion." 

The  sister  of  Governor  Livingston,  Sarah,  married 
the  Earl  of  Stirling,  whom  she  accompanied  to  camp 
when  he  served  in  the  American  Army.  She  visited 
New  York  while  it  was  in  possession  of  the  British,  to 
see  her  daughter,  Lady  Catherine  Alexander,  whose 
husband  was  neutral  in  politics.  Lady  Stirling  was  a 
strong  patriot,  and  would  not  avail  herself  of  Sir  Henry 
Clinton's  permission  to  take  any  thing  out  of  the  city. 

Lady  Catherine  Alexander  was  the  daughter  of  Lord 
Stirling,  and  was  married  at  Baskenridge,  New  Jersey, 
to  Colonel  William  Duer,  in  1779.  She  was  very  beau- 
tiful, and  much  admired  in  society. 

On  the  28th  of  April,  1774,  Sarah  Livingston,  then 
in  her  eighteenth  year,  was  married  at  Elizabethtown 
to  John  Jay,  a  young  lawyer  in  his  twenty-ninth  year, 
of  a  Huguenot  family,  which,  by  intermarriage  with 
the  Bayards  and  Yan  Cortlandts,  had  become  connected 
with  the  prominent  families  of  the  province.  Mr.  Jay, 
up  to  this  time,  had  held  no  public  office,  excepting  that 
of  Secretary  to  the  Royal  Commission  for  settling  the 
boundary  between  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  Before 
the  honeymoon,  however,  was  complete,  in  May,  1774, 
Jay  was  called  to  take  part  in  the  first  movements  of 
that  Revolution  which  was  to  result  in  the  birth  of  a 
new  Republic,  and  from  this  date  the  private  life  of  Mrs. 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  45 

Jay  was  so  shaped  and  controlled  by  public  events  that 
it  is  hardly  possible  to  give  even  a  sketch  of  her  career 
without  occasionally  referring  to  the  history  of  the 
country.  Mr.  Jay's  public  duties  as  member  of  the 
New  York  Provincial  Congress  and  of  the  Committee 
of  Safety,  and  in  other  important  capacities,  kept  him 
constantly  separated  from  his  young  wife,  who  passed 
the  greater  part  of  the  time  at  the  residence  of  her 
father,  with  occasional  visits  to  her  husband's  parents  at 
their  country  place  at  Eye,  Westchester  County,  New 
York.  Her  husband  wrote  to  her  from  Philadelphia : — 
"  I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  being  so  mindful  of  my 
good  mother."  The  letters  of  Mr.  Jay's  father,  Peter 
Jay,  frequently  show  the  fondness  of  the  old  people  for 
their  youthful  daughter-in-law  ;  and  one  of  his  notes 
about  this  time,  from  Rye  to  his  son  at  Philadelphia, 
thus  mentions  a  passing  visit  from  the  Commander-in- 
Chief:  "General  Washington,  and  several  gentlemen 
with  him,  called  here  about  ten  o'clock  last  Tuesday 
morning.  They  stayed  about  an  hour  with  me  and 
refreshed  themselves,  then  set  off  again  on  their  journey, 
and  appeared  much  pleased  with  the  reception  they  had 
met  here.  *  *  General  Washington  told  me  you  were 
well.1' 

The  progress  of  the  war  brought  to  the  Americans 
living  near  New  York  increased  hardship  and  anxiety, 
and  added  to  the  trial  already  suffered  by  Mrs.  Jay  of 
being  separated  from  her  husband.  He  had  written  to 
her  in  December,  1776 — "  I  begin  to  wish  for  the  hob* 


46  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY 

days  Eb  muck  as  a  school-boy  ever  did ;"  and  soon  a 
rumor  reached  him  that  the  British,  after  landing  at 
Statei.  Island,  had  marched  to  Elizabethtown.  It 
proved  to  be  an  exaggeration,  and  he  wrote  to  his  wife — 
"  I  much  commend  the  coolness  and  presence  of  mind 
with  which  you  received  the  alarm."  A  concentration 
of  American  troops  in  l^ew  Jersey  presently  tended  to 
the  safety  of  the  Livingston  country-seat. 

Peter  Jay  the  elder  wrote  this  year  to  his  son  from 
Rye — "  When  you  write  to  Sally,  remember  our  love  to 
her,  and  that  she  must  every  day  give  your  little  boy 
(Peter  Augustus)  a  hearty  embrace  for  us.  We  long  to 
see  them  both  again  here,  but  despair  of  its  being  soon, 
in  these  unhappy  times.  I  am,  dear  Johnny,  your  affec- 
tionate father/'  Later,  Mr.  Jay  thought  it  best  to  send 
his  wife  and  son  to  Fishkill  for  greater  safety,  and  the 
family  from  Eye  removed  also  to  the  same  place. 
Among  the  pleasant  country-seats  where  Mrs.  Jay 
passed  a  part  of  her  time  was  Mrs.  Livingston's,  at 
Rhinebeck;  and  Mr.  Jay,  in  writing  to  her  at  this  place, 
12th  of  September,  1778,  remarks — "  As  I  always  wish 
you  to  be  with  me,  I  hope  an  opportunity  will  soon 
offer,  though  I  confess  I  am  the  less  anxious,  as  you  can't 
fail  of  being  happy  in  so  agreeable  a  family."  In 
December  of  the  same  year,  after  Mr.  Jay's  election  as 
President  of  Congress,  his  wife  wrote  him — "  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  finding  by  the  newspapers  that  you  are  hon- 
ored with  the  first  office  on  the  continent.  *  *  *  * 
Had  you  consulted  me,  as  some  men  have  their  wived 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  47 

about  public  measures,  I  should  not  have  been  Roman 
matron  enough  to  have  given  you  so  entirely  to  the 
public." 

Notwithstanding  this  disclaimer  of  Roman  heroism, 
Mrs.  Jay's  letters,  during  the  most  gloomy  and  anxious 
periods  of  the  war,  show  the  cheerfulness  with  which 
the  patriotic  women  of  the  day,  however  carefully  nur- 
tured, endured  the  trials  and  privations  demanded  by 
their  country.  During  this  year,  the  fashionable  gayeties 
which  the  war  had  interrupted  were  resumed  at  Phila- 
delphia, after  its  occupation  by  General  Howe.  The 
British  officers  devoted  themselves  to  amusements,  enact- 
ing plays  three  times  a  week — the  drop-curtain  having 
been  painted  "by  Major  Andre.  It  was  wittily  said,  that 
"it  was  not  Howe  who  had  taken  Philadelphia,  but 
Philadelphia  which  had  captured  Howe."  A  more 
moderate  cheerfulness  was  found  at  times  in  the  Amer- 
ican camp ;  and  Miss  Kitty  Livingston,  writing  from 
Raritan,  General  Greene's  quarters,  February  22,  1779, 
to  Mr.  Jay,  at  Philadelphia,  says :  "  Your  favorite 
beauty,  Miss  Helena  Morris,  is  sitting  by  me,  and  desires 
her  compliments.  *  *  *  It  is  very  gay  at  camp,  at 
present.  The  Troy,  the  Princeton,  and  the  Baskenridge 
beauties  are  all  here." 

Mrs.  Jay  writes  the  same  month,  from  Persipiney, 
of  a  grand  dinner  and  entertainment  at  General  Knox's 
head-quarters,  with  fireworks ;  and  a  note  dated  March 
llth,  announcing  "  four  approaching  marriages  in  Cousin 
Livingston's  family,"  shows  that  the  war  at  that  moment 


48  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

interrupted  but  slightly  the  old  order  of  events.  These 
gayeties,  however,  were  exceptional. 

On  the  10th  of  October,  1779,  Mr.  Jay,  baring  been 
appointed  Minister  to  Spain,  sailed  in  the  Congressional 
frigate,  The  Confederacy,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Jay,  her 
brother,  Celonel  Brockholst  Livingston,  afterwards  a 
judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  as  his 
private  secretary,  and  by  Mr.  Carmichael,  a  member  of 
Coigress,  as  his  public  secretary. 

On  the  7th  of  November,  the  vessel  was  disabled  by 
a  sudden  gale,  and  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Jay  to  her  mother 
gives  a  graphic  sketch  of  their  troubles ;  within  a  half 
hour,  she  writes — "  We  had  been  deprived  of  nothing  less 
than  our  bowsprit,  foremast,  main-mast,  and  mizzen-mast, 
so  that  we  were  in  an  awkward  situation,  rendered  still 
more  so  by  a  pretty  high  southeast  wind  and  a  very 
rough  sea.  However,  our  misfortunes  were  only  begun. 
The  injury  received  by  our  rudder  the  next  morning 
served  to  complete  them.  *  *  * 

"Let  my  dear  mamma  imagine  the  dangerous  situa- 
tion of  more  than  three  hundred  souls,  tossed  about  in 
the  midst  of  the  ocean  in  a  vessel  dismasted  and  under 
no  command,  at  a  season,  too,  that  threatened  approach- 
ing inclemency  of  weather." 

By  the  aid  of  a  temporary  mast  constructed  of  spars 
the  frigate  reached  St.  Pierre,  on  the  north  side  of  Mar- 
tinico,  on  the  18th  of  December,  narrowly  escaping 
capture  from  a  fleet  of  six  English  ships  of  the  line  off 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  49 

Port  Royal,  on  the  south  side  of  the  island,  for  which 
some  of  the  passengers  had  wished  the  captain  to  steer. 

At  St.  Pierre  they  were  received  with  warm  hospi- 
tality, and  the  Governor  placed  at  their  service  the 
French  frigate  Aurora^  in  which  they  embarked  for 
Toulon,  on  the  28th  of  December. 

The  Aurora  was  chased  by  a  British  man-of-war,  and 
cleared  for  action,  but  outsailed  her  pursuer,  and  put 
into  Cadiz  for  intelligence.  It  was  found  that  the  naval 
superiority  of  the  enemy  in  the  Mediterranean  was  BO 
great  as  to  render  it  unsafe  for  her  to  proceed  to  Toulon. 

At  Cadiz  they  received  every  attention  from  Count 
O'Reilly,  the  Governor  of  Andalusia,  who  invited  them 
to  his  house,  and  treated  them  with  great  cordiality. 
Hence  they  proceeded  to  Madrid,  where  they  lived  for  a 
time  in  the  Street  of  St.  Mattes,  near  St.  Barbary,  the 
former  residence  of  the  Saxon  minister. 

Of  the  many  letters  written  to  them  by  their  friends 
in  America,  but  a  small  number  came  safely  to  hand, 
some  being  captured  by  hostile  cruisers,  and  others 
arrested  by  the  Spanish  post-office.  Dispatches  rarely 
reached  them  safely  except  by  Government  cruisers  or 
.private  hands. 

Extracts  from  a  few  of  them  may  here  be  interesting, 
as  illustrative  of  the  character  of  their  writers  and  of 
persons  and  events  at  home. 

Governor  Livingston,  Trenton,  17th  of  March,  1780, 
wrote  to  Mr.  Jay,  at  Madrid : — 
3 


50  QUEENS   OF   AMEEICAN   SOCIETY. 

"Heaven  grant  that  you,  and  all  the  cargo  shipped  on  board  the 
Confederacy,  in  which  I  have  so  great  an  interest,  may  be  safely 
arrived  at  Madrid  before  this  reaches  that  metropolis.  I  have  suf- 
fered much  for  poor  Mrs.  Jay,  though  I  have  been  greatly  com- 
forted to  hear  that  she  bore  the  terrors  of  the  ocean  with  so  much 
magnanimity.  Her  letters  from  Martinique  are  safely  arrived." 

Mr.  Jay  from  Ilfonso  wrote,  18th  of  September,  to 
Miss  C.  Livingston  : — 

"  You  are  really  a  charming  correspondent,  as  well  as  a  charm- 
ing every  thing  else.  "We  have  more  letters  from  you  than  from 
all  our  friends  in  America  put  together.  I  often  wish  you  with  us 
for  our  sakes,  and  as  often  am  content  that  you  are  not,  for  yours. 
"We  go  on.  however,  tolerably  well,  flattering  ourselves  that  we 
shall  not  be  long  absent,  and  anticipating  the  pleasures  we  are  to 
enjoy  on  our  return ;  among  them,  that  of  your  being  again  with 
us  is,  I  assure  you,  not  the  least." 

Trenton,  April  26,  1780,  Miss  Kitty  Livingston  wrote 
to  Mrs.  Jay,  at  Madrid : — 
"MY  DEAR  SISTER: — 

"Last  Monday  I  left  Philadelphia,  under  the  escort  of  General 
Schuyler,  Mr.  Mathews,  and  Mr.  Peabody,  the  committee  from  Con- 
gress to  General  Washington.  ******* 

•4Mr.  Witherspoon  is  establishing  your  character  for  the  great- 
est philosopher  of  the  age.  You  would  have  saved  me,  and  all 
your  friends,  no  small  degree  of  uneasiness,  had  you  mentioned  in 
your  letter  to  mamma  (and  that  is  all  that  has  reached  us  of  your 
whole  family)  how  little  you  had  been  affected  with  the  accident 
and  other  disagreeable  circumstances  attending  your  voyage.  *  * 

"The  minister,  Don  Juan,  and  M.  Marbois,  are  on  their* 
return  from  camp.  He  contributed  not  a  little  to  the  pleasure 
of  Philadelphia  last  winter,  and  is  much  esteemed  there.  He  is 
one  of  the  best  and  most  cheerful  tempers  in  the  world." 

Again,  May  23,  1780  :— 

"Lady  Mary  and  Mr.  Watts  have  rented  Mrs.  Montgomery's 
farm  for  two  years.  Cousin  Nancy  Browne  is  one  of  their  family. 


H1B8S. 


MRS.   JOHN   JAY.  51 

Colonel  Lewis  has  purchased  a  house  in  Albany ;  one  of  the  girls 
lives  there  with  Gittey.  He  and  Robert  have  each  presented 
Cousin  Livingston  with  a  grand-daughter.  The  Chancellor's  is  a 
remarkably  fine  child.  Mrs.  L.  never  looked  so  well  as  she  did  the 
last  winter,  and  was  much  admired  in  Philadelphia.  She  and  Mrs. 
Morris  were  inseparable.  She  was  also  a  first  favorite  of  Mr.  Mor- 
ris. His  esteem  I  think  very  flattering.  Robert  is  in  Congress, 
and  I  believe  is  at  present  there.  She  is  to  accompany  him  in  the 
fall.  General  and  Mrs.  Schuyler  are  at  Morristown.  The  General 
is  one  of  the  three  that  compose  a  committee  from  Congress.  They 
expect  to  be  with  the  army  all  summer.  Mrs.  Schuyler  returns  to 
Albany  when  the  campaign  opens^ 

"Apropos,  Betsey  Schuyler  is  engaged  to  our  friend  Colonel 
Hamilton.  She  has  been  at  Morristown,  at  Dr.  Cochrane's,  since 
last  February.  Morristown  continues  to  be  very  lively.  The  fate 
of  Charlestown  still  depending — and  Mrs.  P.  is  said  to  be  making  a 
match  with  her  daughter  and  her  husband's  brother.  She  has 
absolutely  refused  to  let  her  go  to  her  relations,  and  to  let  her 
choose  a  guardian.  Colonel  Burr  and  she  are  not  on  speaking 
terms." 

In  July,  1780,  she  writes  to  Mrs.  Jay : — 

"  Do  you  know  I  am  trading  on  your  stock  of  firmness;  and  if 
you  are  not  possessed  of  as  much  as  I  suppose  you  to  have  I  shall 
become  bankrupt,  having  several  wagers  depending  that  you  will 
not  paint  nor  go  to  plays  on  Sundays.  The  Chevalier  is  not  to  be 
convinced  that  he  has  lost  his  bet  till  Mr.  Carmichael  informs  him 
you  do  not  use  paint.  Mr.  Witherspoon  informs  me  that  he  was 
questioned  by  many,  at  Martinique,  if  you  did  not.  (Mrs.  Jay  had 
a  most  brilliant  complexion.)  Mr.  Bingham  makes  very  honorable 
mention  of  you  and  Mr.  Jay  to  your  friends  at  Philadelphia. 

"  In  our  last  distresses  from  the  invasion  of  the  British  troops, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morris  sent  for  me  to  come  and  live  with  them.  It 
was  exceedingly  friendly ;  and  it  is  certainly  no  small  alleviation  to 
our  infelicities  to  have  such  friends  as  can  feel  for  us,  and  by  their 
kind  endeavors  soothe  our  troubled  bosoms  to  peace  and  tran- 
quillity. They  have  at  present  a  delightful  situation — Springsberry. 
Mr.  Morris  has  enlarged  the  buildings  and  converted  the  green- 


52  QUEENS  OF  AMEKICAN  SOCIETY. 

house  into  a  dining-room,  which  far  exceeds  their  expectations  in 
beauty  and  convenience." 

Mrs.  Jay,  writing  from  Madrid,  December  1,  1TSO,  in 
reply  to  this  letter : — 

"  The  bets  depending  between  you  and  the  Chevalier  I  hope  are 
considerable,  since  you  are  certainly  entitled  to  the  stake,  for  I 
have  not  used  any  false  coloring,  nor  have  I  amused  myself  with 
plays  or  any  other  diversions  on  Sundays." 

Mrs.  Morris  wrote  from  ISTew  Jersey  to  Mrs.  Jay, 
September  6,  1780  :— 

"  Yesterday  we  were  informed  from  camp  of  the  death  of  your 
cousin,  William  Alexander  Livingston,  who  received  his  de.ith 
from  a  Mr.  Steaks,  in  a  duel.  Also,  was  buried  at  the  same  time, 
in  like  circumstances,  a  Mr.  Peyton,  from  Virginia.  You  may 
judge  how  fashionable  dueling  is  grown,  when  we  have  had  five 
in  one  week,  and  one  of  them  so  singular  that  I  cannot  forbear 
mentioning  it.  It  happened  between  two  Frenchmen,  who  were 
to  stand  at  a  certain  distance,  and,  marching  up,  were  to  fire  when 
they  pleased.  One  fired  and  missed,  the  other  reserving  his  till  he 
had  placed  his  pistol  on  his  antagonist's  forehead,  who  had  just 
time  to  say,  'Ah,  Mon  Dieu,  pardonnez-moi!'  at  the  same  time 
bowing,  whilst  the  pistol  went  off,  and  did  no  other  mischief  than 
singeing  a  few  of  his  hairs." 

Susan  Livingston  wrote  in  October,  from  Khinebeck, 
to  Mrs.  Jay : — 

"  I  ought  to  conclude,  and  beware  the  third  page,  as  they  say  a 
woman  can't  write  more  than  two  pages  without  scandal.  You 
must  be  more  or  less  than  woman,  for  you  have  written  thirteen 
pages  without  scandal — witness  your  letter  that  we  call  the  Con- 
federacy." 

"  We  are  in  such  high  spirits  about  our  public  affairs  that  I 
must  tell  you  a  little  about  it." 

The  letter  then  gives  an  account  of  a  brilliant  naval 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  53 

victory,  and  their  hope  of  hearing  presently  of  the  sur- 
render of  Lord  Cornwallis. 

Mrs.  Robert  Morris  wrote  from  Philadelphia,  July 
12,  1781,  to  Mrs.  Jay:— 

"Kitty  and  myself  often  avail  ourselves  of  the  pleasure  memory 
affords  us,  in  the  recollection  of  the  many  happy  days  spent  to- 
gether in  this  city.  The  Chevalier  de  la  Luzerne,  M.  de  Marbois,  ' 
and  Mr.  Holker,  expect  great  pleasure  at  your  remembrance  of 
them,  and  request  your  acceptance  of  their  best  wishes.  The 
Chevalier  acquiesces  in  the  loss  of  his  bet,  presented  Kitty  with  a 
handsome  dress  cap,  accompanied  with  a  note  acknowledging  your 
firmness.  Mr.  Morris's  friends  here,  and,  indeed,  all  who  know 
him,  were  exceedingly  shocked  at  his  irreparable  misfortune — the 
loss  of  his  leg.  *  *  *  I  never  knew  an  individual  more  sympa- 
thized with." 

During  a  part  of  the  time,  Mr.  Jay  was  compelled  to 
follow  the  court  to  Ilfonso,  and  leave  his  wife  behind, 
attended  by  his  youthful  nephew,  Peter  Jay  Munro,  of 
whom  Mr.  Jay  wrote  to  his  father,  "  Peter  has  masters 
both  for  his  head  and  heels."  Mrs.  Jay  writes,  24th 
April,  "  We  have  had  a  charming  winter — clear,  mild, 
sunshine  almost  every  day ;"  but  of  her  sketches  of 
society  in  Madrid  we  have  no  note.  Her  sister  Susan, 
referring  to  the  new  circles  around  her,  writes,  July  18, 
1787 :— 

"  I  wonder  whether  my  dear  sister  appears  as  sweet,  amiable, 
and  beautiful  to  the  signoras  as  she  does  to  her  own  countryfolks." 

Mrs.  Jay's  person,  conversation,  and  character  at  this 
period  were  thus  alluded  to  by  Mrs.  Janet  Montgomery, 
in  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Mercy  Warren : — 

"  You  speak  of  my  dear  friend,  Mrs.  Jay.  We  have  heard  from 
her  at  Hispaniola,  where  she  was  obliged  to  put  in  after  the  storm, 


54  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

in  which  she  had  like  to  be  taken.  When  she  arrives  at  Paris  I 
expect  to  hear  from  her;  if  in  the  descriptive  way,  it  shall  be  en- 
tirely at  your  service.  She  is  one  of  the  most  worthy  women  I 
know ;  has  a  great  fund  of  knowledge,  and  makes  use  of  most 
charming  language;  added  to  this,  she  is  very  handsome,  which 
will  secure  her  a  welcome  with  the  unthinking,  whilst  her  under- 
standing will  gain  her  the  hearts  of  the  most  worthy.  Her  man- 
ners will  do  honor  to  our  countrywomen,  and  I  really  believe  will 
please,  even  at  the  Court  of  Madrid." 

Mrs.  Montgomery  evidently  thought,  as  did  the 
Americans  generally,  that  Spain  was  about  to  recognize 
our  independence  and  lend  us  the  assistance  we  required. 
She  did  neither  the  one  nor  the  other.  The  little  money 
she  loaned  us  was  given  grudgingly,  and  with  the  at- 
tempt to  attach  unreasonable,  if  not  impossible,  con- 
ditions to  her  grants.  As  Mr.  Jay  declined  to  accept 
the  courtesies  of  the  Court,  except  as  the  minister  of  an 
independent  nation,  it  is  probable  that  Mrs.  Jay  never 
appeared  at  the  Royal  assemblies. 

Of  the  characteristics  of  Mrs.  Jay's  personal  appear- 
ance, glimpses  are  occasionally  given  in  the  family  cor- 
respondence. In  March,  1776,  her  husband,  describing 
a  very  beautiful  country-girl  whom  Colonel  Morris  and 
he  had  met  at  an  inn  near  Gray's  Ferry,  and  who, 
from  her  exquisite  complexion,  they  had  called  "the 
conch-shell  beauty,"  said:  "Her  teeth  were  as  good, 
and  her  eyes  of  the  same  color  and  almost  as  fine  as 
those  of  my  fair  correspondent.  Colonel  Morris  thought 
she  bore  a  great  resemblance  to  the  lady  who  will 
open  this  letter,  and  I  assure  you  his  opinion  was  not 
ill-founded." 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  55 

Nearly  twenty  years  afterwards,  in  April,  1794,  Mr. 
Jay,  then  Chief  Justice,  writing  to  his  wife,  and  referring 
to  her  eyes,  says:  "Tell  me  if  they  are  as  bright  as 
ever." 

Lady  Strangford,  nee  Philipse,  a  cousin  of  Mrs.  Jay, 
with  whom  she  had  been  intimate,  and  whose  husband 
had  married  her  when  in  orders,  and  had  afterwards 
succeeded  to  the  title,  occasionally  corresponded  with 
Mrs.  Jay  in  after  years,  sending  her  souvenirs  of  affection 
— in  one  case  a  ring,  and  in  another  a  cross.  Although 
her  father  was  a  tory,  and  his  estate  at  Philipsburgh 
had  been  confiscated,  Lady  Strangford  retained  a  touch- 
ing devotion  to  America. 

"  I  have,"  she  writes,  in  a  letter  from  England,  "  a 
warm  and  affectionate  regard  for  every  thing  American ; 
and  though  fate  has  rendered  me  stationary  here,  my 
own  dear  country  can  never  be  forgotten  by  me."  In 
another,  she  says :  "  Though  so  long  departed  from 
America,  I  have  the  liveliest  attachment  to  whatever 
relates  to  it,  and  feel  inexpressibly  interested  in  its  wel- 
fare. And  now  one  word  of  my  girls.  They  are  both 
good  and  handsome  as  I  could  wish,  and  my  eldest  is 
particularly  elegant.  I  fancy  her,  my  dear  cousin,  very 
like  you  in  feature  and  complexion." 

Congress  having  associated  Mr.  Jay  with  Dr.  Frank- 
lin, Mr.  Adams,  and  Mr.  Laurens,  in  a  commission  to 
negotiate  a  peace,  Dr.  Franklin  requested  his  presence 
in  Paris ;  and  on  the  23d  of  June,  1782,  after  a  tedious 
journey  from  Madrid,  Mrs.  Jay,  with  her  husband  and 


56  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

child,  arrived  at  the  Capital.  The  Doctor  had  written 
in  April,  "  Let  me  know  by  a  previous  line  if  you  con- 
clude to  come,  and  if,  as  I  hope,  Mrs.  Jay  will  accom- 
pany you,  that  I  may  provide  for  you  proper  lodgings." 
Their  first  quarters  were  in  the  Hotel  d'Orleans,  Rue 
deb  Petits  Augustines,  where  the  Commissioners  fre- 
quen  ly  assembled ;  and  again  at  Passy,  where  they 
lived  *ith  Dr.  Franklin,  in  a  mansion  which  is  still 
standing,  and  occupied  as  a  pension  for  girls.  Once 
again,  in  November,  1783,  they  removed  to  a  house,  a 
very  charming  one,  from  Mrs.  Jay's  description  of  it,  at 
Chaillot  "  sur  la  Chaussee  de  Versailles,  pros  de  la  Car- 
riere  de  la  Conference." 

Rarely  has  the  French  capital,  during  its  checkered 
history,  been  more  the  centre  of  interest  to  Europe 
and  to  the  world.  The  peace  between  America  and 
England,  of  which  Franklin  and  Jay  were  to  arrange 
the  preliminaries— of  their  associates,  Adams  being  in 
Holland,  Jefferson  in  America,  and  Laurens  in  London, 
just  released  from  the  Tower — was  the  initial  step 
towards  a  peace  between  England  and  Holland ;  and  to 
those  who  did  not  dream  of  the  dark  shadow  gathering 
over  France,  it  must  have  seemed  an  auspicious  omen 
for  the  young  Republic  of  the  New  World,  that  its  birth 
was  to  restore,  on  sea  and  land,  the  broken  repose  of  the 
older  nations. 

Did  our  space  permit,  we  should  be  tempted  to  blend 
with  this  sketch  something  more  than  a  mere  glance  at 
the  historic  memories  of  the  period  connected  with  the 


MRS    JOHN  JAY.  57 

peace  negotiations,  in  which  Mrs.  Jay  was  almost  a  par- 
ticipant, from  her  intimate  association  with  the  negotia- 
tors, who  frequently  met  at  her  apartments.  There  is 
no  page  certainly  in  our  foreign  diplomacy  to  which  the 
intelligent  American  reader  will  ever  recur  with  more 
national  pride  and  interest  than  that  which  records  the 
progress  and  result  of  these  negotiations,  in  view  of  the 
fact  that  the  American  Commissioners  began  their  work 
fettered  by  the  resolution  of  Congress  peremptorily  in- 
structing them  to  take  no  step  without  the  knowledge 
and  concurrence  of  the  French  ministers,  and  to  be  gov- 
erned by  their  opinion  and  advice. 

The  illness  of  Dr.  Franklin  threw  the  chief  responsi- 
bility upon  Jay,  and  the  first  advice  given  by  the  French 
minister,  that  they  should  treat  under  a  British  Commis- 
sion that  recognized  us  not  as  an  independent  nation, 
but  as  British  colonies  or  plantations,  decided  Jay  to 
disregard,  from  that  moment,  the  order  of  Congress,  as 
no  longer  applicable  to  the  situation.  Promptly  acting 
on  this  resolution,  without  further  consultation  with  the 
French  Court,  he  demanded,  as  indispensable,  a  new 
commission ;  to  which  the  British  Cabinet  consented, 
allowing  Jay  to  dictate  its  form. 

The  importance  to  England  of  a  definite  settlement 
•w  ith  her  late  colonies  in  advance  of  her  final  negotia- 
tion with  the  European  allies,  gave  to  the  American 
Commissioners  a  position  of  advantage,  to  which  Jay's 
sternness  and  resolution,  backed  by  the  approval  of 
Adams  and  Franklin,  gave  immense  strength.  The 

3* 


58  QUEENS   OF   AHEKICAN  SOCIETY. 

terms  they  demanded  relating  to  the  fisheries,  the  Mis- 
sissippi, and  the  boundaries,  while  of  immense  impor- 
tance to  the  United  States,  were  regarded,  under  the 
circumstances,  as  of  minor  significance  by  the  English 
ministry  in  their  settlement  of  the  European  question ; 
and  such  was  the  address  and  decision  of  the  American 
Commissioners,  that  they  obtained  all  they  demanded, 
and  far  more  than  they  had  dared  to  hope  for. 

The  preliminary  articles  were  signed  on  the  20th  of 
January,  1Y83.  On  the  3d  of  September,  when  France 
and  Spain  had  settled  their  respective  terms,  the  defini- 
tive treaties  were  signed,  and  Count  de  Yergennes  enter- 
tained the  diplomatists  at  a  grand  dinner  at  Versailles. 
On  this  conclusion  of  a  general  peace,  England,  France, 
Spain,  and  Holland,  by  a  series  of  mutual  concessions, 
on  the  principle  of  restitution  and  compromise,  returned 
in  great  part  to  the  statu  quo.  The  United  States  alone, 
which,  in  the  view  of  England  and  France,  had  entered 
the  council-chamber  as  English  "colonies  or  plant^- 
tions,"  whose  independence  was  to  be  granted  by  treaty 
stipulation,  and  which,  to  their  surprise,  had  refused  to 
take  the  first  step  except  as  a  sovereign  nation,  and 
on  an  equal  footing,  came  forth  from  that  chamber  en- 
dowed with  the  fisheries,  the  Mississippi,  and  a  vast 
extent  of  territory  to  the  north,  the  west,  and  the  south, 
whose  cession  quieted  forever  all  rival  claims  from  Can- 
ada, France,  or  Spain,  and  gave  to  the  infant  Republic 
boundaries  imperial  in  their  grandeur. 

In  America,  no  one  had  ventured  to  hope  for  boun- 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  59 

daries  so  magnificent.  Governor  Livingston  wrote  to 
Jay,  Burlington,  20th  of  May,  1783,  "  The  treaty  is  uni- 
versally applauded."  Hamilton  wrote  to  him  "  The 
New  England  people  talk  of  making  you  an  annual  fish- 
offering  ;"  and  John  Adams  said,  of  the  title  of  "  Le 
Washington  de  la  Negotiation,"  which  had  been  be- 
stowed upon  him,  "  I  sincerely  think  that  it  belongs  to 
Mr.  Jay."  Years  later,  Mr.  Adams,  when  President, 
wrote  to  Mr.  Jay  (November  24,  1800),  "Among  the 
very  few  truths  in  a  late  pamphlet,  there  is  one  that  I 
shall  ever  acknowledge  with  pleasure,  viz.,  '  that  the 
principal  merit  of  the  negotiations  for  peace  was  Mr. 
Jay's.' " 

More  than  half  a  century  after  the  negotiations,  the 
British  Minister,  Mr.  Fitzherbert,  who  had  become  Lord 
St.  Helens,  after  reading  the  life  of  Jay,  wrote :  "  I  can 
safely  add  my  testimony  *  *  *  that  it  was  not  only 
chiefly,  but  solely,  through  his  means  that  the  negotia- 
tions of  that  period,  between  England  and  France,  were 
brought  to  a  successful  conclusion." 

Mrs.  Jay  wrote  to  Mr.  Jay,  January  21,  the  day 
after  the  signing  of  the  provisional  articles.: — 

"I  long,  my  dear,  to  embrace  you  now  as  a  deliverer  of  our 
country,  as  well  as  an  affectionate  and  tender  husband." 

The  scenes  and  the  society  amid  which  Mrs.  Jay 
lived  for  nearly  two  years,  presented  a  brilliant  contrast 
to  the  trials  and  hardships  to  which  she  had  been  sub- 
jected by  the  war  at  home,  as  well  as  to  her  more 
retired  life  during  their  residence  at  Madrid. 


00  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Mr.  Jay's  health  having  become  impaired,  he  went 
for  a  while  to  England,  to  try  the  Bath  waters  ;  and  on 
his  return,  in  January,  1784,  with  improved  health  and 
spirits,  the  last  months  of  their  stay  in  Paris  were 
devoted  to  the  enjoyment  of  its  polished  society. 

History  has  made  us  familiar  with  the  Paris  of  that 
period;  so  interesting,  as  presenting  the  last  pictures 
of  the  pride  and  splendor  that  were  still  unconscious  of 
the  impending  revolution.  Marie  Antoinette,  now  in 
her  twenty-ninth  year,  still  justified  by  her  grace  and 
beauty  the  magnificent  apostrophe  of  Burke.  In  a 
letter  to  Mrs.  Eobert  Morris,  14th  of  November,  1782, 
Mrs.  Jay  thus  describes  the  Queen — after  whom,  was 
named  one  American  town,  Marietta,  in  Ohio : — 

She  is  so  handsome,  and  her  manners  are  so  engaging,  that, 
almost  forgetful  of  Republican  principles,  I  was  ready,  while  in  her 
presence,  to  declare  her  born  to  be  a  queen.  There  are,  however, 
many  traits  in  her  character  worthy  of  imitation,  even  by  Repub- 
licans; and  I  cannot  but  admire  her  resolution  to  superintend  the 
education  of  Madame  Royale,  her  daughter,  to  whom  she  has 
allotted  chambers  adjoining  her  own,  and  persists  in  refusing  to 
name  a  governess  for  her.  The  Duchess  of  Polignac  is  named  for 
that  office  to  the  Dauphin.  I  have  just  been  interrupted  by  a  visit 
from  the  Princess  Mazarin,  who  informed  me  that  the  Count 
d'Artois  was  expected  here  in  eight  days  hence,  and  the  Prince, 
her  husband,  soon  after;  so  that  I  conjecture  the  siege  of  Gibraltar 
is  to  be  abandoned." 

The  fantasies  of  fashion,  says  a  court  historian,  re- 
vealed the  spirit  of  France  as  capricious  and  changeable. 
The  queen  and  her  intimate  friends,  especially  the  Com- 
tesse  Diane  de  Polignac  and  the  Marquise  de  Yaudrienne, 


MRS.   JOHN"  JAY.  61 

changed  the  mode  day  by  day.  The  women  wore  the 
hair  most  fantastically  raised  in  a  pyramid,  and  this  high 
edifice  was  crowned  with  flowers,  as  if  it  were  a  garden. 
Mrs.  Jay  wrote  to  Mrs.  Morris : — 

"At  present  the  prevailing  fashions  are  very  decent  and  very 
plain;  the  gowns  most  worn  are  the  robes  a  1'Anglaise,  which  are 
exactly  like  ye  Italian  habits  that  were  in  fashion  in  America  when 
I  left  it ;  the  Sultana  is  also  a  la  mode,  but  it  is  not  expected  that 
it  will  long  remain  so.  Every  lady  makes  them  of  slight  silk. 
There  is  so  great  a  variety  of  hats,  caps,  cuffs,  &c.,  that  it's  impos- 
sible to  describe  them.  I  forgot  that  the  robe  a  1'Anglaise,  if 
trimmed  either  with  the  same  or  gauze,  is  dress;  but  if  untrirnmed 
must  be  worn  with  an  apron,  and  is  undress.  Negligees  are  very 
little  in  vogue.  Fans  of  eight  or  ten  sous  are  almost  the  only  ones 
in  use. 

"  At  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette's  table  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
hearing  you,  my  dear  Mrs.  Morris,  mentioned  in  terms  the  most 
grateful  imaginable." 

Among  the  first  to  congratulate  Mrs.  Jay  on  her 
arrival  at  Paris  were  the  Marquis  and  the  Marchioness 
de  la  Fayette.  A  note  from  the  Marquis  bears  date  the 
25th  June,  and  the  Marchioness  offers  to  Mrs.  Jay  her 
"tender  homage."  Some  two  years  later,  on  leaving 
Paris,  Mr.  Jay  wrote  to  la  Fayette :  "  I  shall  never  think 
of  France  without  recollecting  your  friendly  attention 
to  Americans  and  American  affairs." 

The  two  circles  of  society  where  Mrs.  Jay  was  entirely 
at  home  in  Paris  were  those  which  were  to  be  found  in 
the  hotels  of  la  Fayette  and  Franklin. 

"  La  Fayette  and  his  companions  had  left  the  coun- 
try," says  the  author  of  Memoirs  of  Marie  Antionette, 
"  Frenchmen,  but  came  back  Americans.  They  set  out 


82  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

in  quest  of  danger  and  military  glory  only,  but  brought 
back  systems  and  patriotic  enthusiasm.  They  appeared 
again  at  court,  boasting  of  the  scars  and  wounds  received 
in  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  wearing  with  their  dress  the 
emblems  of  republican  decorations." 

This  feeling  was  not  confined  solely  to  France. 
While  the  princes  of  Germany  lent  themselves  to  the 
purposes  of  Great  Britain,  the  better  mind  of  Germany 
sympathized  with  the  American  people,  and  our  rising 
empire  was  not  altogether  overlooked  in  the  thought  of 
Goethe,  Lessing,  Schiller,  and  Kant. 

The  acquaintanceship  of  Mrs.  Jay  and  Madame  de 
la  Fayette  soon  ripened  into  friendship,  and  their  letters 
are  marked  by  a  tone  of  sincere  regard  and  affection,  and 
indicate  a  degree  of  intimacy  between  these  youthful 
mothers  closer  than  that  which  usually  characterized  the 
courtly  circle  that  lent  brilliancy  to  the  Hotel  de  Noailles. 
The  kind  devotion  of  Madame  de  la  Fayette  to  Mrs.  Jay 
was  extended  to  her  children,  and  in  the  invitations  to 
dinner  the  latter  was  sometimes  prayed  to  bring  Made- 
moiselle, her  daughter  (Maria),  to  see  Madame  de  la 
Fayette's  little  family.  Mrs.  Jay's  letters  in  reply  refer 
gracefully  "  to  the  pleasure  it  will  give  her  daughter  to 
wait  upon  the  charming  little  Miss  Virginia."  There  is* 
reason  to  believe  that  both  enjoyed  these  domestic  scenes 
more  than  the  salon  where  they  were  surrounded  by  the 
elegance,  wit,  and  beauty  of  the  ancient  regime,  whose 
splendor  was  presently  to  disappear  forever. 


MRS.   JOHN"   JAY.  63 

Miss  Adams,  the  daughter  of  John  Adams,  writing 
from  Paris  in  1785,  said  : — 

"Every  person  who  knew  her  when  here  bestows  many  enco 
miuins  upon  Mrs.  Jay.  Madame  de  la  Fayette  said  she  was  well 
acquainted  with  her  and  very  fond  of  her,  adding  that  Mrs.  Jay 
and  she  thought  alike,  that  pleasure  might  be  found  abroad,  but 
happiness  only  at  home,  in  the  society  of  one's  family  and  friends." 

Among  the  souvenirs  presented  by  Madame  de  la 
Fayette  to  Mrs.  Jay  were  two  arm-chairs,  embroidered 
by  her  own  hands.  One  of  these  is  now  in  the  possession 
of  Mrs.  Henry  E.  Pierrepont,  of  Brooklyn,  a  grand- 
daughter of  Mrs.  Jay. 

Did  space  permit,  we  might  give  some  interesting 
extracts  from  Mrs.  Jay's  correspondence  with  her  hus- 
band while  in  England  and  her  friends  in  America. 
One  of  his  first  letters  from  London  says  :  "  The  doctor 
advises  me  to  be  as  idle  as  possible,  but  so  agreeable  an 
employment  as  that  of  writing  to  you  can  hardly  be  a 
trespass  on  that  injunction."  Another,  dated  Bath,  22d 
December,  gives  an  account  of  the  celebrated  Lady  Hunt- 
ington,  her  chapel,  and  its  fine  music,  her  cheerful  con- 
versation and  pleasant  recollections  of  Lord  Bolingbroke, 
Lord  Bath,  Lord  Bathnrst,  Lord  Chesterfield,  Pope,  and 
other  celebrities  of  her  earlier  years. 

To  Dr.  Franklin,  now  in  his  seventy-sixth  year,  Mrs. 
Jay  was  indebted  for  uniformly  kind  attentions  ;  and  if 
the  circle  she  met  at  the  Hotel  de  Noailles  was  marked 
by  its  aristocracy  of  rank,  that  which  surrounded  the 
venerable  philosopher  at  Passy  was  no  less  celebrated 


64:  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

for  happily  blending  the  choicest  and  most  opposite 
elements  of  the  world  of  learning,  wit,  and  fashion. 
Retaining,  at  that  advanced  age,  a  singular  gayety  and 
spirit,  having  lost,  according  to  Mr.  Adams,  neither  his 
love  of  beauty  nor  his  taste  in  judging  of  it,  he  was  con- 
stantly surrounded  by  savans,  statesmen,  and  sprightly 
women,  who  flocked  to  pay  their  affectionate  homage  to 
the  "  Sage,"  as  Mirabeau  afterwards  apostrophized  him, 
'9  whom  two  worlds  alike  claimed,  and  for  whom  the 
history  of  science  and  the  history  of  empires  were  dis- 
puting." The  Paris  of  that  day  teemed  with  celebri- 
ties ;  among  whom  to  Franklin,  as  the  philosopher  who 
had  snatched  the  lightning  from  heaven  and  the  sceptre 
from  tyrants,  the  historians  of  the  period  assign  the  first 
place. 

There  was  Mesmer,  with  his  fascinating  doctrine  of 
the  influence  of  the  planets  and  the  mysterious  harmo- 
nies of  ideas  and  forms,  censured  by  the  Academy,  but 
popular  in  the  salon.  There  were  Lavoisier,  exciting 
wonder  by  his  application  of  chemistry ;  Buffon,  the 
naturalist;  Bailly,  the  astronomer ;  Legendre,  the  math- 
ematician ;  and  Darcet,  the  chemist.  There  was  Gui- 
llotin,  the  philanthropic  physician  to  the  king,  who,  to 
alleviate  the  horrors  of  capital  punishment,  recommend- 
ed the  use  of  the  machine  which  has  perpetuated  his 
name  in  connection  with  scenes  which  cannot  be  recalled 
without  a  shudder.  There  was  Cagliostro,  with  his 
filters,  talismans,  and  amulets,  exhibiting,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  a  French  chronicler,  an  audacity  that  only 


MRS.  JOHN  JAY.  65 

superstition  could  authorize.  There  was  Moiitgolfier, 
with  his  balloons,  creating,  on  his  first  ascension,  a  furor 
of  excitement ;  and  Jean  Gaspar  Lavater,  the  youthful 
pastor  of  Zurich,  calm  and  reflective,  the  author  of 
sacred  songs  and  llelvetique  chants,  challenging  the 
admiration  of  the  world  by  deducing  traits  of  character 
from  the  physiognomy.  The  painters  of  the  period  in- 
cluded Greuze,  Yernet,  Doyen,  Menageot,  David,  and 
Le  Brun ;  and  the  musicians,  Mozart,  Gretry,  Delaysac, 
and  Gluck. 

There  seems  to  have  been  a  theatre,  and  a  good  one, 
at  Passy,  for  Mrs.  Jay  writes,  in  1782,  "  The  queen  has 
recently  returned  to  Versailles,  after  a  residence  of  eight 
or  ten  weeks  at  Passy.  "While  there,  I  used  sometimes 
to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  her  at  the  plays." 

Among  the  more  intimate  friends  of  Franklin  were 
Turgot,  the  Abbe  Kaynal,  Eochefoucault,  Cabanes,  Le 
Koy,  Mabley,  Mirabeau,  D'Holbach,  Marmontel,  Neckar, 
Malesherbes,  Watelet,  and  Mesdames  de  Genlis,  Denis, 
Helvetius,  Brillon,  and  La  Reillard. 

Such  were  the  types  of  the  brilliant  circle  that  sur- 
rounded the  Doctor's  table  or  enlivened  his  evenings, 
and  for  their  benefit  he  kept  a  printing-press  in  his 
house,  for  the  convenient  circulation  among  them  of  his 
"  bagatelles."  Of  his  genial,  pleasant  humor,  his  letters 
and  those  of  Mrs.  Jay  afford  abundant  evidence.  One 
of  them  (June  18,  1780),  sending  his  portrait  to  Mrs. 
Jay  at  Madrid,  thus  pleasantly  refers  to  his  own  celeb- 
rity:— 


66  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

"Mrs.  Jay  does  me  much  honor  in  desiring  to  have  one  of  the 
prints  that  have  been  made  here  of  her  countryman.  I  send  what 
has  been  said  to  be  the  best  of  five  or  six,  engraved  by  different 
hands  from  different  paintings.  The  verses  at  the  bottom  are  truly 
extravagant.  But  you  must  know  that  the  desire  of  pleasing  by  a 
perpetual  use  of  compliments  in  this  polite  nation  has  so  used  up 
all  the  common  expressions  of  approbation  that  they  have  become 
flat  and  insipid,  and  to  use  them  almost  implies  censure.  Hence, 
music,  that  formerly  might  be  sufficiently  praised  when  it  was 
called  bonne,  to  go  a  little  farther,  they  called  excellente,  then 
zuperbe,  maynffique,  exquisite,  celeste,  all  which  being  in  their  turn 
worn  out,  there  remains  only  divine,  and  when  that  is  grown  as 
insnfficient  as  its  predecessors,  I  think  they  must  return  to  common 
speech  and  common  sense,  as  from  vying  with  one  another  in  fine 
and  costly  paintings  on  their  coaches,  since  I  first  knew  the 
country,  not  being  able  to  go  further  in  that  way,  they  have 
returned  lately  to  plain  carriages,  painted  without  arms  or  figures, 
in  one  uniform  color."* 

Here  is  one  of  the  Doctor's  little  notes  :— 

"Dr.  Franklin  regrets  exceedingly  that  his  health  does  not 
permit  the  honor  and  pleasure  of  waiting  upon  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jay, 
according  to  their  obliging  invitation. 

"  He  hopes  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jay  will  condescend  to  indemnify  him 
for  the  loss  he  sustains,  by  honoring  him  with  their  company  at 
dinner  on  Saturday  next.  The  Doctor  would  be  happy  to  see  Mr. 
Munro  at  the  same  time.  Passy,  9th  October,  1782." 

Mrs.  Jay's  almost  romantic  devotion  to  her  husband 
could  hardly  escape  notice  and  comment  in  the  Parisian 
circles,  where  she  was  known  as  "  la  belle  Americaine  •"  ] 
and  an  incident  to  which  it  led  on  one  occasion,  in  an 
assemblage  at  Passy,  interesting  from  its  connection 
with  the  Doctor's  development  of  magnetism,  and  charm- 

*  Anotherof  the  Doctor's  presents  to  Mrs.  Jay — a  tea-kettle  of  Sevres 
china— is  preserved  in  the  family  of  Dr.  John  C.  Jay,  at  Rye. 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  67 

ingly  illustrative  of  the  man,  is  thus  related  in  a  letter 
from  Mrs.  Jay  at  Chaillot  to  Mr.  Jay  at  Bath,  Novem- 
ber 18,  1783:— 

"Dr.  Franklin  charges  me  to  present  you  his  compliments, 
whenever  I  write  to  you,  but  forbids  my  telling  you  how  much 
pains  he  takes  to  excite  my  jealousy  at  your  stay.  The  other 
evening,  at  Passy,  he  produced  several  pieces  of  steel ;  the  one  he 
supposed  you,  at  Chaillot,  which,  being  placed  near  another  piece, 
which  was  to  represent  me,  it  was  attracted  by  that,  and  presently 
united ;  but  when  drawn  off  from  me,  and  nearer  another  piece, 
which  the  Doctor  called  an  English  lady,  behold,  the  same  effect ! 
The  company  enjoyed  it  much,  and  urged  me  to  revenge ;  but  all 
could  not  shake  my  confidence  in  my  beloved  friend.  The  Doctor 
has  just  sent  me  word  that  he'll  drink  tea  with  me  this  evening, 
notwithstanding  the  storm." 

An  extract  from  Mr.  Jay's  reply  to  this  letter  is,  in 
its  turn,  characteristic.  He  writes  to  Mrs.  Jay  from 
Bath:— 

"It  gives  me  pleasure  to  hear  that  our  friend  the  Doctor  is  in 
such  good  spirits.  Though  his  magnets  love  society,  they  are  never- 
theless true  to  the  pole,  and  in  that  I  hope  to  resemble  them." 

A  letter  from  Mrs.  Jay  to  her  husband,  a  few  days 
later,  dated  Chaillot,  2d  of  December,  gives  a  full 
description  of  the  first  ascent,  at  Paris,  by  Messrs. 
Charles  and  Robert,  of  Montgolfier's,  balloon,  which  cre- 
ated a  great  sensation.  It  landed  some  nine  leagues 
distant,  and  the  Dukes  of  Chartres  and  Fitz  James,  fol- 
lowing by  relays,  arrived  in  time  for  its  descent.  The 
letter  closes  thus : — 

"If  I  had  four  balloons  to  make  a  Mercury  of  a  common  mes- 
senger, you  should  not  be  twenty-four  hours  without  hearing 
f  am  us." 


68  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

After  Mrs.  Jay's  return  to  America,  Dr.  Franklin's 
letters  show  the  strong  attachment  he  had  conceived  for 
her  and  her  children.  He  wrote  to  Mrs.  Jay  from 
7,  8th  of  February,  1785  : — 


jPassy, 


"  I  received,  by  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  your  kind  letter  of 
the  13th  of  December.  It  gave  me  pleasure  on  two  accounts,  as  it 
informed  me  of  the  public  welfare  and  that  of  your,  I  may  almost 
say  our,  dear  little  family,  for  since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  their 
being  with  me  in  the  same  house  I  have  ever  felt  a  tender  affection 
for  them,  equal,  I  believe,  to  that  of  most  fathers." 

Again,  the  Doctor  writes  to  Jay,  at  New  York,  from 
Passy,  10th  of  May,  acknowledging  the  resolution  of 
Congress  permitting  his  return : — "  Next  to  the  pleasure 
of  rejoining  my  own  family  will  be  that  of  seeing  you 
and  yours  well  and  happy,  and  embracing  my  little 
friend,*  whose  singular  attachment  to  me  I  shall  always 
remember.  Be  pleased  to  make  my  respectful  compli- 
ments acceptable  to  Mrs.  Jay,  and  believe  me  ever,  with 
sincere  and  great  respect  and  esteem,  &c." 

After  Franklin's  return  to  America,  Jay  welcomed 
him  in  a  cordial  letter.  He  says,  in  reference  to  the 
Doctor's  proposed  visit  to  New  York : — 

"Mrs.  Jay  is  exceedingly  pleased  with  this  idea,  and  sincerely 
joins  with  me  in  wishing  to  see  it  realized.  Her  attachments  are 
very  strong,  and  that  to  you  being  founded  on  esteem,  and  the 
recollection  of  kind  offices,  is  particularly  so.  I  suspect  your  little 
friend  has  forgotten  your  name.  Your  name  is  familiar  to  her,  as 
indeed  it  will  be  to  every  generation." 

Soon  after,  Mr.  Jay  left  his  wife  at  Passy,  attended 

*  Maria,  afterwards  Mrs.  Banyar. 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  69 

oy  his  nephew,  P.  J.  Munro,  in  order  that  he  might  try 
the  Bath  waters,  she  moved  her  little  family  to  the 
house  at  Chaillot,  which  Mr.  Jay  had  engaged  for  her, 
and  she  thus  describes  it  in  a  letter  to  him,  November  6, 
1783  :— 

"Everybody  that  sees  the  house  is  surprised  it  has  so  long 
remained  unoccupied.  It  is  so  gay,  so  lively,  that  I  am  sure  you'll 
be  pleased.  Yesterday  the  windows  were  open  in  my  cabinet  while 
I  was  dressing,  and  it  was  even  then  too  warm.  Dr.  Franklin  and 
his  grandsons,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coxe  and  the  Miss  "Walpoles  drank 
tea  with  me  likewise  this  evening,  and  they  all  approve  of  your 
choice.  As  the  sky  is  very  clear  and  the  moon  shines  very  bright, 
we  were  tempted  to  walk  from  the  saloon  upon  the  terrace,  and 
while  the  company  were  admiring  my  situatioa,  my  imagination 
was  retracing  the  pleasing  evenings  that  you  and  I  have  passed 
together  in  contemplating  the  mild  and  gentle  rays  of  the  moon." 

Mrs.  Jay's  family  now  embraced  two  daughters. 
Her  husband,  in  announcing  to  his  brother  Frederick 
the  birth  of  the  last  (26th  of  August,  1783),  said.:  "  She 
is  to  be  baptized  this  morning,  by  the  name  of  Anne. 
I  wish  we  could  as  easily  give  her  the  virtues  as  the 
name  of  our  amiable  sister." 

Those  who  were  so  fortunate  as  to  have  known  per- 
sonally the  late  Miss  Anne  Jay,  or  who  are  familiar 
with  the  extent  of  her  charities  and  the  beauty  of  her 
life,  will  not  think  that  her  father's  wishes  were  unac- 
complished. 

We  find  a  mention  in  one  of  Mrs.  Jay's  letters  of 
having  met  at  dinner,  at  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette's, 
20th  October,  1783,  the  younger  Pitt,  who,  accompa- 


70  QUEENS  OF  AMEKICAN   SOCIETT. 

nied  by  Mr.  Wilberforce  and  Mr.  Elliot,  was  making  a 
hurried  tour  through  France. 

Governor  Livingston  writes  to  Mrs.  Jay,  from  Eliza- 
bethtown,  8th  of  January,  1T83 : — 

"I  long  to  see  you  both,  and  my  dear  little  French  grand- 
daughter Maria.  My  sweet  little  Peter  is  now  standing  at  my 
elbow.  He  is  really,  and  without  flattering,  one  of  the  handsomest 
boys  in  the  whole  country." 

November  12th,  Mrs.  Jay,  at  Chaillot,  writes  to  her 
husband,  at  Bath : — 

"  I  hope  the  weather  is  fine  in  England,  for  we  have  a  most 
enchanting  autumn  here.  You'll  be  pleased  with  our  situation 
here  when  you  return,  for  which  I  most  ardently  long,  though  I 
would  not  have  you  leave  England  until  you  have  given  it  a  fair 
trial.  My  little  Nancy  is  a  perfect  cherub,  without  making'  the 
least  allowance  for  a  mother's  partiality." 

Mrs.  Jay  left  Paris  with  her  husband  and  children 
for  Dover  on  the  16th  of  May,  17S4,  and  landed  at  New 
York  on  the  24th  of  July,  after  an  absence  of  more  than 
four  years  and  a  half. 

Mr.  Jay  had,  the  autumn  before,  written  from  Passy 

•  to  his  old  friend,  Peter  Yan  Schaick :  "  I  have  asked 
leave  to  become  a  simple  citizen,  and  to  return  home 

,next  summer;"  but  Congress,  having  heajd  from  Dr. 
Franklin  of  his  anticipated  return,  appointed  him,  in 
advance  of  his  arrival,  to  the  office  of  Secretary  for  For- 
eign Affairs,  which  has  been  described  as  "  unquestion- 
ably the  most  prominent  and  responsible  civil  office 
under  the  Confederation."  There  was  then  no  President 
of  the  United  States,  and  the  Secretary  had  charge  of  the 


MES.   JOHN  JAY.  71 

whole  foreign  correspondence  as  well  as  of  that  between 
the  General  and  State  Governments.  In  this  position, 
the  entertaining  of  the  foreign  ministers,  officers  of  Gov- 
ernment, members  of  Congress,  and  persons  of  distinc- 
tion, was  an  important  incident,  and  Mrs.  Jay's  domestic, 
duties  assumed  something  of  an  official  character. 

Her  long  residence  near  European  courts,  and  her 
recent  association  with  the  brilliant  circles  of  the  French 
capital,  assisted  her  to  fill  with  ease  the  place  she  was 
now  to  occupy,  and  to  perform  its  graceful  duties  in  a 
manner  becoming  the  dignity  of  the  republic  to  whose 
fortunes  she  had  been  so  devoted. 

We  have  no  record  relating  to  the  entire  period  dur- 
ing which  she  presided  over  the  entertainments  given  by 
her  husband  as  Secretary  for  Foreign  Affairs ;  but  by  a 
happy  chance  her  "Dinner  and  Supper  List  for  1787 
and  '8  "  has  been  preserved,  and  the  names  which  the 
list  furnishes,  together  with  the  memoranda  afforded  by 
occasional  private  correspondence,  and  the  published 
notes  of  European  travelers  touching  that  interesting 
period,  help  to  give  a  picture,  that  already  possesses  an 
historic  interest,  of  the  social  circles  of  New  York  during 
.its  brief  existence  as  the  National  capital  under  the 
Articles  of  Confederation,  and  for  two  sessions  of  the 
first  Congress  under  the  Constitution. 

The  society  of  New  York  at  that  time,  despite  the 
comparative  insignificance  of  the  city  in  extent  and  pop- 
ulation, and  all  that  it  had  suffered  during  the  war, 
presented  more  strikingly  than  in  after  years,  when 


72  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

domestic  and  foreign  emigration  had  made  it  a  common 
centre,  those  distinguished  characteristics  derived  from 
its  blended  ancestry  and  colonial  history,  that  are  still 
discernible  in  the  circles  of  the  Knickerbockers,  and 
which  recall  alike  to  Americans  and  Europeans  the 
earlier  traditions  of  the  National  metropolis.  While 
here  and  there  might  be  found  members  of  a  family 
which,  misled  by  mistaken  convictions,  had,  during  the 
war,  sided  with  the  mother  country,  or  had  timidly 
endeavored  to  preserve  an  inglorious  neutrality,  the 
tone  of  society  was  eminently  patriotic,  and  worthy  of 
the  antecedents  of  an  ancestry  representing,  in  the  words 
of  an  English  historian,  "  the  best  stock  of  Europe  who 
had  sought  homes  in  the  Western  World,  and  in  whose 
forms  of  Government,  charter,  provincial  and  even  pro- 
prietary, may  be  discerned  the  germs  of  a  national  lib- 
erty." With  the  culture  and  refinement  of  a  class  thus 
descended  was  blended  that  love  of  country  which  lends 
dignity  to  wealth  and  respectability  to  fashion. 

The  bar  of  New  York  gave  to  the  salons  of  the  day 
a  list  of  names  never  since  surpassed  in  our  juridical 
history,  in  James  Duane,  Eichard  Harrison,  Aaron  Burr, 
Alexander  Hamilton,  Morgan  Lewis,  Robert  Troup, 
Robert  R.  Livingston,  Egbert  Benson,  John  Watts, 
Governeur  Morris,  Richard  Yarick,  James  Lansing, 
and  Josiah  Ogden  Hoffman  and  James  Kent,  both  in 
their  youthful  vigor,  the  last  of  whom  had  been  admitted 
in  1785,  and  was  just  commencing  the  career  that  gave 
him  while  yet  living  a  world- wide  reputation.  The 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  73 

Church  furnished,  of  the  Presbyterians,  Dr.  Rogers  and 
Dr.  John  Mason ;  and  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church, 
Dr.  John  H.  Livingston  and  Dr.  William  Linn.  Among 
the  Episcopal  clergy,  the  chief  was  the  "  easy,  good- 
tempered,  gentlemanly,  and  scholarly  Dr.  Provoost, 
Bishop  of  New  York — a  chaplain  of  Congress,  and  a 
welcome  guest  at  the  dinner-table  of  his  friends."  The 
Doctor  had  been  devoted  to  the  American  cause,  and 
was  in  every  respect  a  most  estimable  and  agreeable 
person ;  and,  in  addition  to  his  classic,  ecclesiastical,  and 
Hebrew  lore,  he  is  said  to  have  been  familiar  "  with  the 
Greek,  Latin,  French,  German,  and  Italian  languages." 
It  is  even  affirmed  that,  as  a  literary  recreation — and 
the  circumstance  seems  more  significant  in  view  alike  of 
his  Episcopal  duties  and  the  times — he  had  made  a  new 
poetical  translation  of  Tasso.  The  medical  profession 
was  represented  by  Dr.  Charlton,  Dr.  Samuel  Bard, 
Dr.  John  Bard,  Dr.  Wright  Post,  Dr.  Bailey,  Dr.  Kis- 
sam,  and  Dr.  Jones. 

To  the  older  families  of  New  York  mentioned  in 
Mrs.  Jay's  invitation  list,  among  whom  were  prominent 
those  of  Beekman,  Bronson,  Clinton,  Clarkson,  Cruger, 
Sterling,  De  Peyster,  Livingston,  Morris,  Rutherford, 
Schuyler,  Yan  Horn,  Yan  Cortlandt,  Yan  Rensselaer, 
Yerplanck,  and  Watts,  were  now  added,  by  the  presence, 
first,  of  the  Congress  under  the  Confederation,  and  then 
under  the  Constitution,  some  of  the  most  eminent  of  the 
statesmen  and  generals  of  "  the  old  thirteen  "  who  had 
helped  to  vindicate  the  independence  and  lay  deep  the 


74:  QUEEN'S   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

foundation  of  the  country.  Among  the  names  on  Mrs. 
Jay's  list  may  be  found  those  of  John  Langdon,  Paine, 
and  Wingate ;  Roger  Sherman  and  Benjamin  Hunting- 
ton,  of  New  England ;  Elias  Boudinot  and  Cadwallader, 
of  New  Jersey ;  Robert  Morris,  of  Pennsylvania ;  George 
Read,  of  Delaware ;  Charles  Carroll,  of  Maryland ;  Mr. 
Grayson,  Theodoric  Bland,  and  James  Madison,  of  Yir- 
ginia ;  Pierce  Butler,  Ralph  Izard,  Daniel  Huger,  and 
Thomas  Tudor  Tucker,  of  South  Carolina  ;  and  William 
Few,  of  Georgia. 

These  gentlemen  were,  in  many  cases,  accompanied 
by  their  families,  representing  in  part  the  higher  circles 
of  New  England,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  and  the 
South ;  and  to  these  was  added  the  small  circle  of  diplo- 
mats accredited  to  the  United  States,  and  occasionally 
European  travelers,  attracted  by  the  rising  greatness  of 
the  young  Republic.  The  letters  of  the  day  which  have 
been  preserved,  both  of  Americans  and  Frenchmen,  al- 
lude frequently  to  the  grace,  beauty,  and  attractiveness 
^?  many  women  then  in  society.  Among  them  were 
Lady  Mary  Watts  and  Lady  Kitty  Duer,  daughters  of 
Lord  Stirling,  and  cousins  of  Mrs.  Jay ;  Mrs.  Ralph 
Izard,  grand-daughter  of  the  Huguenot  Etienne  de 
Lanci ;  Mrs.  Alexander  Hamilton,  daughter  of  General 
Schuyler ;  Mrs.  Beekman  (Miss  James  Kettletass) ;  Mrs. 
Theodore  Sedgwick  (Miss  Pamela  Dwight) ;  Miss  Wol- 
cott,  of  Connecticut,  afterwards  Mrs.  Chauncey  Good- 
rich; and  to  New  York  came  also,  occasionally,  the 
belles  of  other  cities,  especially  of  Philadelphia.  Mrs 


MRS.   JOHN"  JAY.  75 

Jay's  dinners  and  receptions  at  this  time  are  thus 
alluded  to  by  Mrs.  Win.  S.  Smith,  in  a  letter  to  her 
mother,  Mrs.  John  Adams  : — 

"Mrs.  Jay  gives  a  dinner  almost  every  week,  besides  one  to  the 
t-orps  diplomatique  on  Tuesday  evening;  Miss  Von  Berckel  (daugh- 
ter of  the  Dutch  Minister)  and  Lady  Temple  see  company  on 
Thursday ;  Mrs.  Jay,  Mrs.  De  la  Forest,  the  wife  of  the  French 
Consul ;  on  Friday  Lady  Christiana,  the  Presidentess  (of  Congress)  ; 
and  on  Saturdays,  Mrs.  Secretary ." 

Again,  on  the  20th  of  May,  Mrs.  Smith  writes  to  her 
mother : — 

"  Yesterday  we  dined  at  Mrs.  Jay's,  in  company  with  the  whole 
corps  diplomatique.  Mr.  Jay  is  a  most  pleasing  man,  plain  in  his 
manners,  but  kind,  affectionate,  and  attentive ;  benevolence  is 
stamped  in  every  feature.  Mrs.  Jay  dresses  showily,  but  is  very 
pleasing  on  a  first  acquaintance.  The  dinner  was  d  la  Francaise, 
and  exhibited  more  of  European  taste  than  I  expected  to  find." 

On  referring  to  Mrs.  Jay's  list,  it  appears  that  the 
guests  at  the  dinner  referred  to  by  Mrs.  Smith  on  the 
20th  of  May,  1788,  were  as  follows  :— 

The  President  of  Congress,  Mr.  Griffin ;  Lady  Chris- 
tiana Griffin,  his  wife,  belonging  to  a  noble  family  in 
Scotland ;  Count  de  Moustier,  the  French  Minister ;  hia 
sister,  the  Marchioness  de  Brehan ;  Mr.  Otto,  afterwards 
Count  de  Mosloy,  who  had  succeeded  M.  Marbois  aa 
Charge  d'Aftaires,  and  had  married  a  Miss  Livingston ; 
Comte  de  Brehan ;  Don  Diego  Gardoqui,  the  Spanish 
Minister ;  M.  Von  Berckel,  the  Dutch  Minister ;  his 
daughter,  Miss  Yon  Berckel ;  Sir  John  Temple,  the 
British  Consul  General ;  and  Lady  Temple,  who  was  the 


76  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

daughter  of  Governor  Bowdoin  of  Massachusetts ;  Gen- 
eral Armstrong,  Mr.  Arthur  Lee,  Mr.  and  Lady  Mary 
Watts,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  "Watts,  Mr.  Bingham,  Colonel  Wil- 
liam S.  Smith  and  Mrs.  Smith,  Mr.  Daniel  McCormick, 
Mr.  Kean. 

Among  the  distinguished  foreigners  on  Mrs.  Jay's 
list,  is  found  the  name  of  M.  Brissot  de  Warville,  well 
known  from  his  work  on  America,  written  on  his  return 
to  Europe,  and  for  his  prominent  and  tragical  connection 
with  the  Girondists  of  the  French  Eevolution.  He 
dined  'at  her  table  on  the  2d  of  September,  1788,  with 
the  following  guests : — 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pintard,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eufus  King,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Montgomery,  Mr.  and  Miss  Yon  Berckel,  Mr. 
Otis,  Mr.  Dane,  Mr.  Gerry,  Mr.  Sedgwick,  Mr.  Gilman, 
Mr.  Wingate,  Mr.  Wadsworth,  Mr.  Huntington,  M.  de 
la  Yalle,  and  M.  de  Saussure. 

M.  Brissot  de  Warville  had  brought  to  Mr.  Jay, 
from  La  Fayette,  a  letter  commending  him  as  a  writer 
on  the  side  of  liberty,  and  as  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
society  in  behalf  of  the  blacks;  and  another  from  the 
Chevalier  Burgoyne,  the  minister  from  Saxony  to  Paris. 
His  character  and  life  have  been  cleverly  drawn ;  among 
others,  by  Lord  Brougham,  and  also  by  Grace  and 
Philip  Wharton,  in  their  "Queens  of  Society,"  under  the 
heading  of  his  friend,  the  unfortunate  Madame  Eoland. 

The  inauguration,  by  the  new  Government,  under 
the  National  Constitution,  in  the  spring  of  1789,  was 
heralded  by  the  arrival  of  Yice-President  Adams,  after 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  77 

an  almost  triumphal  progress  from  Boston.  He  was 
conducted  in  state,  by  the  civil  dignitaries  and  military 
officers,  through  a  multitude  of  people,  to  the  house  of 
John  Jay,  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city. 

On  the  23d  of  March  General  Washington  arrived, 
by  the  Bay,  attended  by  the  heads  of  departments,  and 
escorted  by  a  fleet  of  boats  and  sloops ;  and  in  the  even- 
ing the  city  was  brilliantly  illuminated,  and  there  was 
a  display  of  h're-works.  On  the  13th  of  April  he  was 
inaugurated,  at  Federal  Hall. 

Mr.  Jay's  duties  as  Chief  Justice  carried  him,  this 
year,  on  the  New  England  circuit,  in  the  course  of  which, 
especially  at  Boston,  he  was  received  with  cordial  hos- 
pitality. 

A  letter  to  him  from  Mrs.  Jay  gives  a  pleasant  pic- 
ture of  her  home  occupation,  and  a  glimpse  also  of  Mrs. 
Washington : — 

"Last  Monday  the  President  went  to  Long  Island  to  pass  a 
week  there.  On  Wednesday,  Mrs.  "Washington  called  upon  me  to  go 
with  her  to  wait  upon  Miss  Von  Berckel,  and  on  Thursday  morn- 
ing, agreeahle  to  invitation,  myself  and  the  little  girls  took  an  early 
breakfast  with  her,  and  then  went  with  her  and  her  little  grand- 
children to  breakfast  at  General  Morris's,  Morrisania.  "We  passed 
together  a  very  agreeable  day,  and  on  our  return  dined  with  her, 
as  she  would  not  take  a  refusal.  After  which  I  came  home  to 
dress,  and  she  was  so  polite  as  to  take  coffee  with  me  in  the 
evening.  *  *  *  If  you  see  Mrs.  Langdon,  pray  thank  her 
for  her  very  polite  attention.  Governor  Langdon  was  well  last 
evening,  when  I  was  honored  with  his  company." 

Another  letter  says : — "  Our  friends  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hamilton  left  New  York  last  Wednesday ;  they  dined 


78  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

with  me  on  Sunday  and  Tuesday."  Mrs.  Jay  mentions 
also  having  entertained  Mrs.  Iredell,  her  daughter,  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Munro,  and  adds : — "  My  endeavor  has 
been  to  show  my  affection  for  you  by  my  attention  to 
your  friends." 

In  the  spring  of  1784  Mrs.  Jay  suffered  a  trial  in 
the  separation  from  her  husband,  who  was  sent  by  Wash- 
ington as  special  ambassador  to  England,  where  he  nego- 
tiated with  Lord  Grenville  the  treaty  which  bears  his 
name,  and  which  subsequently  encountered,  at  the  hands 
of  the  Democratic  party,  a  vigorous  but  unsuccessful 
opposition. 

Congress  was  sitting  in  Philadelphia  when  Mr.  Jay 
advised  his  wife  of  the  President's  decision.  Her 
reply,  dated  April,  shows  how  deeply  she  was  affected 
by  it  :— 

"The  utmost  exertion  I  can  make  is  to  be  silent;  excuse  me  if 
I  have  not  philosophy.  *  *  *  Should  you  leave  me  I  must 
entreat  you  to  permit  your  son  to  accompany  you.  It  would  give 
him  infinite  pleasure  and  me  great  consolation.  *  *  * 

"Adieu,  my  best  beloved,  absent  or  present,  I  am  wholly 
yours.  SA.  JAY." 

Another  of  her  letters,  about  this  time,  closes: — 
"  Farewell,  my  best  beloved.  Your  wife  till  death,  and 
after  that  a  ministering  spirit." 

Mr.  Jay  acceded  to  his  wife's  wish,  and  their  son, 
Peter  Augustus,  then  in  his  nineteenth  year,  accompa- 
nied his  father.  Soon  after  they  had  sailed,  a  violent 
storm  occurred  at  New  York,  to  which  Mrs.  Jay  thus 
alludes,  in  a  letter  dated  the  2d  of  May : — 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  79 

"Oh,  my  dear  Mr.  Jay,  how  greatly  do  circumstances  alter  our 
ideas  of  things.  I've  known  the  time  when  in  your  company  I 
have  enjoyed  a  storm  like  this.'  At  present  I  cannot,  nor  would  I 
wish  to  describe  the  painful  fancies  it  gives  birth  to.  I  know  you 
disapprove  the  anticipation  of  evils,  but  indeed,  my  best  of  hus- 
bands, such  a  storm  as  this  is  enough  to  prostrate  one's  reason. 
At  this  season  of  the  year  it  is  so  unusual.  The  poplars  this  morn- 
ing were  on  the  ground,  and  the  cherries,  still  unripe,  were  blown 
from  the  trees  before  the  dining-room  window  into  the  stable-yard. 
Frank  has  raised  the  poplars.  "When  I  droop  who  shall  raise  me, 
if  the  wide  ocean  should  swallow  up  my  husband  and  child?" 

Mrs.  Jay's  letters  to  her  husband,  during  his  absence, 
are  in  great  part  devoted  to  his  domestic  affairs  at  home, 
of  which  she  assumed  the  chief  charge,  assisted  occasion- 
ally by  his  nephew,  Peter  Jay  Munro.  They  are  full, 
practical,  and  exact,  giving  the  particulars  of  moneys 
paid  in  and  reinvested,  by  the  advice  of  friends,  in  the 
National  Bank  and  stocks,  with  quotations  of  their  rise, 
and  the  sale  of  lands,  the  progress  of  the  mill  and  dam, 
then  being  built  on  the  Jay  estate  at  Bedford,  and  mat- 
ters of  more  minute  importance,  in  which  Mr.  Jay  was 
sure  to  feel  an  interest. 

In  one  of  Mr.  Jay's  letters  to  his  wife,  he  says : — 

"  Thanks  for  your  many  affectionate  letters  and  unceasing  atten- 
tion to  our  mutual  concerns.  I  frequently  anticipate  with  satisfac- 
tion the  pleasing  moment  when  I  shall  again  take  my  place  by  our 
own  fireside,  and  with  William  on  one  knee  and  Sally  ou  the  other, 
amuse  you  with  a  variety  of  information." 

Mrs.  Jay  was  accustomed  to  ride  on  horseback,  and 
her  care  in  regard  to  her  horses  is  occasionally  exhibited 
in  her  letters.  She  writes  to  Mr.  Jay,  October  11, 
1794:— 


80  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

"  Last  Tuesday  J.  Lyon  came  to  town  on  business,  and  brought 
the  carriage  horses.  They  are  lean  and  entirely  unbroke,  even  to  a 
wagon.  I  was  advised  to  send  for  Swan,  a  person  who  is  said  to 
understand  breaking  horses.  He  has  undertaken  it,  and  if  he  suc- 
ceeds is  to  receive  £6,  but  is  not  to  be  paid  any  thing  if  he  doea 
not.  Frank  attends  him  daily  with  the  horses,  for  Swan  says  that 
the  coachmen  of  this  city  require  as  much  breaking  as  the  horses." 

A  fortnight  later,  she  writes  that — 

"The  young  horses  have  become  gentle  and  tractable  under  the 
tuition  of  Mr.  Swan  and  your  man  Frank.  I  have  rode  out  with 
them,  and  last  evening  paid  some  visits  in  town.  They  stood  very 
quietly ;  and,  what  to  me  was  of  equal  consequence,  they  did  not, 
like  a  former  pair,  stand  longer  than  I  wished." 

The  horses  in  question  had  exposed  Mrs.  Jay  to 
vexations,  with  a  mention  of  which  she  had  avoided 
annoying  her  absent  husband.  She  had  been  disap- 
pointed at  the  delay  of  Mr.  Jay's  agent  at  Bedford  in 
breaking  them  for  her  use,  and  had  sent  him  by  his  son 
a  mild  message  on  the  subject,  which  by  some  persons 
had  been  maliciously  distorted  into  a  notice  that  he 
should  never  be  pardoned,  and  that  Mr.  Jay  would 
require  him  to  quit^the  farm  on  the  1st  of  May  follow- 
ing. This  untrue  statement  induced  a  hasty  and  ill- 
tempered  letter,  dated  the  10th  of  November,  to  Mrs. 
Jay,  written  under  extreme  irritation.  Its  tone  may  be 
gathered  from  a  single  line :  "  Madam,  although  I  am 
your  servant,  I  am  not  your  slave."  The  next  day 
brought  a  more  civil  letter,  making  an  offer  of  potatoes, 
turnips,  &c.,  but  no  apology  for  the  first.  Mrs.  Jay's 
reply  exhibits  at  once  the  force  and  dignity  of  her  char- 
acter, as  well  as  her  womanly  tact  and  skill  of  expression. 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  81 

After  declining  the  vegetables,  with  thanks,  she  pro- 
ceeded : — 

"I  could  wish,  Major,  your  letter  of  the  llth  had  been  unac- 
companied by  the  one  of  the  10th,  as  I  am  convinced  you  have 
yourself  too  much  sensibility  to  reflect,  without  regret,  on  having 
wounded  the  feelings  of  a  lady  who  has  invariably  treated  you 
with  cordiality  and  politeness." 

After  stating  distinctly  what  she  had  said,  the  letter 
concludes : — 

"  That,  sir,  is  the  whole  of  what  I  told  your  son.  Mr.  Jay  or 
the  farm  were  not  mentioned,  and  the  word  pardon  neither  entered 
my  thoughts  nor  escaped  my  lips.  I  leave  you,  sir,  to  judge  whether 
my  observations  merited  the  strictures  you  thought  proper  to  make. 
Though  Mr.  Jay  could  not  but  be  aware  of  the  many  inconveniences, 
injuries,  and  anxieties,  that  would  be  the  consequence  of  his  accept- 
ance of  a  mission  three  thousand  miles  from  his  family,  yet  I  am 
well  convinced  asperities  from  you,  sir,  to  his  solitary  wife  never 
entered  his  calculations.  It  is  unnecessary,  Major,  to  trouble  you 
with  further  observations.  Should  Mr.  Jay's  labors  abroad  be 
again  blessed  to  his  country,  the  sacrifice  his  long  absence  costs  his 
family  shall  be  submitted  to  without  murmuring. 

"SA.  JAY." 

In  one  of  her  letters,  Mrs.  Jay  tells  Mr.  Jay,  that,  in 
consequence  of  his  prolonged  absence,  she  had  resolved, 
upon  her  own  responsibility,  to  send  their  daughter  Maria 
'to  the  Moravian  school  for  girls  at  Bethlehem,  Pennsyl- 
vania, under  the  charge  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams.  Their 
friends,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arden,  had  already  two  daughters 
at  the  establishment.  This  was  the  most  celebrated  of 
the  schools  for  girls,  "  where,  in  nun-like  seclusion,  were 
educated  a  large  proportion  of  the  belles  who  gave  the 
fashionable  circles  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia  their 


82  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

inspiration  during  the  last  twenty  years  of  the  century." 
When  first  visited  by  Mr.  Adams,  he  found  one  hundred 
and  twenty  living  under  the  same  roof,  and  in  a  letter  to 
his  daughter  he  compared  it  to  a  nunnery.  Mrs.  Jay's 
daughter  Anne  afterwards  joined  her  sister  at  Bethlehem, 
and  both  retained  in  after  life  pleasant  recollections  of 
the  days  passed  there. 

On  the  28th  of  May,  1795,  Mr.  Jay  returned  from 
England,  and  learned  that  during  his  absence  he  had 
been  elected  Governor  of  the  State,  the  result  having 
been  declared  but  two  days  before  his  arrival.  He 
landed  at  the  Battery,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  con- 
course of  citizens,  who  welcomed  him  with  bells  and 
cannon,  and  attended  him  to  his  house  in  Broadway. 
This  popular  applause  was  presently  succeeded  by  vehe- 
ment abuse,  by  the  Democratic  party,  of  "  that  damned 
arch  traitor,  John  Jay ;"  and  Mrs.  Jay  had  the  opportu- 
nity of  observing  both  sides  of  a  political  career,  when 
she  found  her  husband  burned  in  effigy  at  Philadelphia, 
and  when  Hamilton,  defending  the  treaty,  was  answered 
with  stones. 

Mr.  Jay  was  a  second  time  elected  Governor,  and 
the  State  Government,  which  had  sat  in  New  York,  was. 
during  his  first  term,  removed  to  Albany.  Mrs.  Jay's 
health,  in  1796,  sent  her  to  Lebanon  Springs,  which  had 
already  a  high  reputation.  She  was  accompanied  by  her 
daughter  Maria,  and  her  letters  show  the  enjoyment  and 
benefit  she  received  from  the  waters,  aided  by  a  simple 
country  life  and  mountain  air. 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  83 

The  State  Government  had  made  no  provision  for  a 
Governor's  residence  at  Albany,  and  it  was  not  until 
l79Y-'8  that  Mrs.  Jay  permanently  assumed  the  charge 
of  her  husband's  house,  and  presided  over  the  reunions 
of  the  descendants  of  the  Dutch  Huguenot  and  English 
colonists,  whose  devotion  to  freedom  had  given  to  New 
York  its  proud  position  in  the  country ;  while  the  wealth 
and  importance  derived  from  stately  manors,  miles  in 
extent,  and  but  recently  invested  with  almost  baronial 
privileges,  blended  with  the  simplicity  of  the  young 
Republic,  social  features  that  had  something  of  the  dig- 
nity and  grace  usually  associated  with  ancient  aristoc- 
racy. 

In  1801,  at  the  conclusion  of  his  second  term  as 
Governor,  Mr.  Jay  retired  from  public  life,  declining  a 
reappointment  as  Chief  Justice,  tendered  him  by  Presi- 
dent Adams,  and  with  his  daughter  Anne  he  repaired  to 
his  farm  at  Bedford,  where  the  improvements  of  the  old 
dwelling-house  were  not  yet  completed.  Mrs.  Jay's 
health  forbade  her  coming  until  the  mechanics  had  all 
departed ;  and  while  staying  at  Oakhill,  May  27,  1801, 
she  wrote  to  Mr.  Jay  : — 

"  Say  every  thing  to  our  dearest  daughter  (Anne)  that  a  fond 
and  delighted  mother  could  express.  Thank  her  for  her  charming 
letter.  No  cordials  could  have  so  salutary  an  effect  on  my  spirits 
as  the  dear  letters  I  receive  from  you  both.  I  have  perused  and 
reperused  them  twenty  times  at  least." 

A  little  later  she  wrote  from  Rye,  October  6,  to  Mr. 
Jay : — 


84  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

"  T  have  been  rendered  very  happy  by  the  company  of  our  dear- 
children,  but  could  we  have  been  together  it  would  have  heightened 
the  satisfaction,  every  word  and  every  look  of  our  dear  little  boy 
(William).  Your  brother  himself  frequently  exclaimed,  you  are  a 
dear  little  dog.  Banyar  and  his  little  wife  (Maria)  are  an  amiable 
couple,  and  I  often,  I  should  say  daily,  bless  God  for  giving  us  such 
amiable  children.  May  they  long  be  preserved  a  blessing  to  us  and 
to  the  community." 

Mrs.  Jay  wrote  on  her  arrival  at  Bedford :  "  I  can 
truly  say  I  have  never  enjoyed  so  much  comfort  as  I  do 
here."  Her  enjoyment,  however,  of  the  calm  pleasures 
of  domestic  life,  surrounded  by  her  children,  was  destined 
to  be  but  brief.  Within  twelve  months  she  died,  after  a 
short  illness,  on  the  28th  of  May,  1802. 

The  character  of  Mrs.  Jay  is  in  part  exhibited  by  the 
brief  extracts  given  from  her  letters.  However  much  of 
its  equanimity  was  due  to  the  example  and  influence  of 
her  husband,  her  letters  show  that,  with  a  singular 
delicacy  of  feeling  and  sensibility  of  organization  was 
combined  a  strength  of  mind  based  upon  Christian 
principle,  which  enabled  her  to  face  danger  without  fear 
and  to  endure  hardships  and  disappointments  without  a 
murmur.  "You  have  a  soul,"  wrote  Mrs.  Morris,  in 
1YSO,  to  Mrs.  Jay,  "superior,  I  know,  to  this.  You 
look  forward,  doubtless,  to  events  like  my  misfortunes 
with  the  eye  of  a  philosopher  and  the  mind  of  a  Chris- 
tian." 

Her  biography  and  correspondence,  should  it  be 
published,  would  illustrate  in  no  slight  degree  the  early 
days  of  the  Kepublic,  and  disclose  the  temper  of  the  men 


MRS.   JOHN  JAY.  85 

and  the  women  whose  virtue  secured  the  independence 
of  their  country,  and  whose  characters  and  accomplish- 
ments sustained  its  dignity  at  home  and  at  the  courts  of 
Europe.  If  to  Sarah  Livingston  Jay  belonged  beauty, 
elegance,  and  accomplishments;  if,  from  the  charms  of  her 
manners  or  the  vivacity  of  her  conversation,  combined 
with  the  accidents  of  birth  and  position,  there  is  assigned 
her  a  prominent  place  among  American  women,  she  is 
entitled  to  regard  on  far  better  grounds  than  simply  as  a 
"  Queen  of  American  Society."  Her  memory  may  be 
cherished  as  that  of  one  who  exhibited  from  her  youth, 
amid  trial  and  hardship,  a  steadfast  devotion  to  her 
country ;  who,  amid  the  gay  society  of  Paris  and  New 
York,  preserved  unimpaired  her  gentleness,  amiability, 
and  simplicity;  and  who,  throughout  her  life,  fulfilled 
with  Christian  fidelity  and  womanly  affection  the  duties 
of  a  daughter,  sister,  wife,  and  mother.* 

*  Mrs.  Jay  left  five  children:  Peter  Augustus,  born  at  Klizabethtown,, 
24th  of  January,  1776 ;  Maria,  born  at  Madrid,  20th  of  February,  1782,  died 
21st  of  November,  1856;  Ance,  born  at  Passy,  13th  of  August,  1783, 
died  13th  of  November,  1856;  William,  born  at  New  York,  16th  of  June, 
1789,  died  Uth  of  October,  1858  ;  Sarah  Louisa,  born  at  New  York,  20th 
of  February,  1792,  Died  22d  of  April,  1818.  Governor  Jay  long  survived 
his  wife,  and  died  at  Bedford,  17th  of  May,  1829. 


86  QUEENS  OF  AMEKICAN  SOCIETY 


III. 


Ix  the  country's  early  days,  New  England  had  her 
acknowledged  aristocracy,  and  Massachusetts  boasted  the 
most  finished  school  of  refined  manners.  Her  public 
officers,  clericals,  and  most  wealthy  persons  constituted 
her  gentry,  or  the  upper  classes,  in  all  the  towns ;  in  the, 
country,  those  who  held  large  landed  estates,  who  were 
representatives,  or  held  high  civil  or  military  offices, 
were  regarded  as  members  of  the  aristocracy.  Habits 
and  dress  plainly  denoted  rank  in  life.  One  who  was  a 
gentleman  usually  went  abroad  in  a  wig,  white  stock, 
white  satin  embroidered  vest,  black  satin  small-clothes, 
with  white  silk  stockings  and  fine  broadcloth  or  velvet 
coat.  At  home,  he  wore  a  velvet  cap,  sometimes  over  a 
fine  linen  one,  instead  of  a  wig ;  a  gown  of  colored 
damask  lined  with  silk  in  place  of  a  coat,  and  leathern 
slippers. 

In  most  genteel  families,  a  tankard  of  punch  was 
prepared  every  morning,  and  visitors  during  the  day 
were  invited  to  partake  of  it;  the  master  frequently 
taking  the  vessel  from  the  cooler,  drinking  first  from  it 
himself,  and  handing  it  to  his  guests. 

Dinners  and  suppers  were  frequently  interchanged. 
The  fashionable  hour  was  never  later  than  three  o'clock. 


SOCIAL   LIFE   IN  BOSTON".  87 

and  the  table  groaned  with  the  dainties  provided.  The 
evening  amusements  were  dancing  and  cards.  Dramatic 
entertainments  were  prohibited  by  law ;  but  concerts 
were  in  vogue,  and  in  Boston  gentlemen  in  private  life 
performed  vocal  and  instrumental  music  for  the  amuse- 
ment of  their  friends.  The  dancing  was  conducted  with 
a  severe  regard  to  propriety.  The  modern  objectionable 
waltzes  were  unknown ;  the  stately  minuet,  with  its 
high-bred,  formal  courtesy,  was  varied  by  the  contra- 
dance ;  and  cotillions  did  not  come  into  favor  till  brought 
by  French  refugees  from  the  West  Indies. 

Glimpses  of  the  social  life  of  Boston  at  the  close  of 
the  war  may  be  found  in  the  memoirs  of  the  Marquis  de 
Chastellux,  who  went  the  rounds  of  fashionable  gayety  in 
1782.  The  city  was  the  home  of  the  Winthrop  families, 
noted  as  founders  of  the  colony ;  there  were  the  Gush- 
ings,  Quincys,  Bowdoins,  Danas,  Prescotts,  &c.,  and 
more  real  respectability  was  to  be  found  there  than  in 
almost  any  other  town  of  its  population.  The  Marquia 
noticed  the  prevalence  of  a  "  tone  of  ease  and  freedom  ;" 
but  thought  the  gentlemen  awkward  dancers,  particu- 
larly in  minuets.  The  women  were  well  dressed,  but 
:  with  less  elegance  than  in  Philadelphia.  He  took  tea  at 
'Bowdoin's,  and  was  at  supper  with  a  select  party  of 
twenty ;  noticing  especially  the  host's  beautiful  grand- 
daughter, the  eldest  child  of  Lady  Temple — "  an  angel 
in  the  disguise  of  a  young  girl."  Elizabeth  Temple,  the 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Temple,  and  grand-daughter  of 
Governor  Bowdoin,  in  whose  family  she  was  brought  up, 


88  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

was  married  in  1786  to  Thomas  Lindal!  Winthrop. 
During  the  years  of  the  war,  she  had  been  in  the  habit 
of  seeing  Franklin,  La  Fayette,  and  the  principal  French 
and  American  officers.  She  was  the  reigning  belle  of 
Boston.  La  Fayette  was  her  ardent  admirer,  and  often 
called  to  see  her.  Her  husband,  Governor  Winthrop, 
possessed  an  ample  fortune,  and  they  lived  in  style, 
exercising  a  generous  hospitality,  and  receiving  at  their 
table  most  strangers  of  consideration  who  came  to  the 
vicinity.  This  lady  was  the  mother  of  Kobert  C.  Win- 
throp. 

Lady  Temple,  the  wife  of  Sir  John,  was  a  daughter 
of  Governor  Bowdoin.  The  Marquis  de  Chastellux  said, 
in  1782:  "If  I  do  not  place  Mrs.  Temple  in  the  list  of 
handsome  women,  it  is  not  from  want  of  respect,  but 
because  her  figure  is  so  distinguished  as  to  make  it 
unnecessary  to  pronounce  her  truly  beautiful." 

Jean  Pierre  Brissot  de  Warville  was  also  intimate 
with  the  fashionables  of  Boston.  He  "  hopes  the  Boston 
women  may  never,  like  those  of  Paris,  acquire  la  mala- 
die  of  perfection  in  music,  which  is  not  to  be  attained 
but  at  the  expense  of  the  domestic  virtues."  The  ladies, 
he  said,  had  "  the  liberty  of  Geneva,  in  the  days  of  the 
republic,  when  vows  of  love  were  believed,  and  the 
women  were  occupied  in'  rendering  their  husbands 
happy."  At  that  time,  Frenchmen  were  inquisitive 
and  intelligent  speculators  on  our  resources,  government 
and  society.  Brissot  afterwards  appeared  in  Paris  in 
Quaker  costume,  and  was  the  first  to  introduce  the 


MRS.    HALEY.  89 

fashion  of  wearing  the  hair  without  powder.  "  The 
Bostonians,"  he  said,  "  unite  simplicity  of  manner  with 
that  French  politeness  and  delicacy  which  renders  virtue 
more  amiable.  Music,  which  their  teachers  formerly 
proscribed  as  a  diabolical  art,  begins  to  make  part  of 
their  education." 

On  the  road  to  New  York  he  marveled  at  "  supper, 
cider,  tea,  punch,  and  all  for  fourteen  pence  a  head. 
Breakfast,  coffee,  tea,  boiled  and  roast  meat,  tenpence 
each.  On  the  road  you  often  meet  those  fair  Connecti- 
cut girls,  driving  a  carriage,  or  alone  on  horseback, 
galloping  boldly;  with  an  elegant  hat  on  the  head,  a 
white  apron  and  a  calico  gown."  This  leads  to  comments 
on  the  general  innocence  of  manners.* 

Sullivan  says :  "  An  important  person  in  the  fashion- 
able world  was  Mrs.  Haley,  sister  of  the  celebrated  John 
"VVilkes,  who  came  over  and  purchased  a  house  in  Boston, 
in  1785.  She  was,  at  the  time,  rather  advanced  in  life, 

*  A  curious  anecdote  of  the  misfortune  of  a  veteran  gallant — Jeremiah 
Smith,  of  New  Hampshire — who  "  had  dabbled  in  love  many  times,"  and 
at  last  became  a  Benedick,  illustrates  the  dress  of  the  times.  On  his  way 
to  the  bride's  house,  he  lost  his  trunk  with  his  wedding  suit,  and  had  to 
stand  up  in  his  traveling  clothes.  His  biographer  gives  a  list  of  the  arti- 
cles : — "  A  light-colored  broadcloth  coat,  with  pearl  buttons ;  breeches  of 
the  same  cloth  ;  ditto,  black  satin ;  vest,  swansdown,  buff,  striped ;  ditto, 
moleskin,  cheque  figure :  ditto,  satin  figured :  ditto,  Marseilles,  white ; 
ditto,  muslinet,  figured ;  under  vest,  faced  with  red  cassimere ;  two  ditto, 
flannel;  one  pair  flannel  drawers ;  one  ditto,  cotton ;  one  pair  black  patent 
silk  hose ;  one  ditto,  white  ditto ;  one  ditto,  striped ;  ten  or  a  dozen  white 
eilk  hose ;  four  pairs  gauze  ditto ;  a  towel ;  six  shirts ;  twelve  neckhand- 
kercliiet's  ;  six  pocket  handkerchiefs,  one  a  bandanna;  a  chintz  dressing- 
gown  ;  a  pair  of  silk  gloves ;  ditto,  old  kid — all  valued  at  two  hundred 
dollars." 


90  QUEENS   OF   AMEEICAN"  SOC1ET1 . 

and  of  singular  personal  appearance,  but  was  extremely 
prepossessing  in  manner.  She  afterwards  married  a 
gentleman  who  was  the  uncle  of  a  celebrated  Scotch 
reviewer,  and  her  house  became  a  place  of  fashionable 
resort." 

The  sympathy  of  a  portion  of  the  people  with  French 
Jacobinism  was  shown  in  observances  by  no  means  in 
good  taste. 

A  "  civic  feast "  was  given  in  Boston,  in  honor  of 
the  success  of  the  French  Revolution.  "A  whole  ox, 
skinned  and  dressed,  with  head  and  horns  entire,  and 
eyes  protruding  from  the  sockets,  was  turned  on  a  great 
wooden  spit  before  a  furnace.  When  sufficiently  roast- 
ed, it  was  placed  on  a  sledge  or  carriage,  propped  up, 
and  drawn  through  the  principal  streets,  followed  by 
two  cartloads  of  bread  and  two  hogsheads  of  punch. 
An  immense  concourse  attended.  A  table  was  laid  in 
State  Street  for  the  feast  intended  for  the  friends  of 
liberty.  The  cutting  up  and  distribution  became  ridicu- 
lous, then  riotous.  The  roasted  fragments  were  hurled 
into  the  air,  and  at  the  female  spectators  on  the  balco- 
nies and  at  the  windows.  A  pole  fifty  or  sixty  feet  high 
.was  raised  in  Liberty  Square,  surmounted  with  the 
j  horns  of  the  ox,  and  stood  several  years.  This  feast  took 
place  on  the  day  Louis  XVI.  was  guillotined." 

Elsewhere  the  same  spirit  was  exhibited  by  a  part  of 
the  democracy.  M.  Genet,  the  first  minister  of  the 
French  Eepublic,  on  entering  the  house  of  the  President, 
and  seeing  there  a  bust  of  Louis  XVI.,  complained  of  it 


BELLES  IN  SOCIETY.  91 

as  an  insult  to  France.  At  a  dinner  at  which  Governor 
Mifflin  was  present,  a  roasted  pig  received  the  name  of 
the  murdered  king,  and  the  head  severed  from  the  body 
was  carried  round  to  each  of  the  guests,  who,  after 
placing  the  liberty  cap  on  his  own  head,  pronounced  the 
word  "  Tyrant,"  and  proceeded  to  mangle  with  his  knife 
that  of  the  luckless  creature  doomed  to  be  served  for  so 
unworthy  a  company. 

M.  Genet  first  landed  in  Charleston,  where  his  recep- 
tion and  his  journey  to  Philadelphia  were  triumphal; 
for,  notwithstanding  the  President's  proclamation  of 
neutrality,  the  sympathy  for  the  French  was  irrepressi- 
ble. "  Aristocrats "  were  denounced  ;  the  common  ex- 
pressions of  the  sans-culottes  were  adopted  in  society, 
and  the  title  "  Citizen  "  became  common.  Genet  mar- 
ried Cornelia  Tappan  Clinton,  the  daughter  of  the  Gov- 
ernor of  New  York.  One  of  her  sisters  was  Madame 
Campan,  noted  for  her  ability  and  her  intimate  relations 
with  the  royal  family  of  France ;  another  was  the  beau- 
tiful Madame  Auguie,  mother-in-law  of  Marshal  ISTey. 
Madam  Genet's  home  was  at  Greenbush,  near  Albany. 

John  Quincy  Adams  wrote,  in  January,  1789,  of 
Miss  Aleny  Ellery :  "  She  is,  unfortunately,  somewhat 
deaf,  but  is  uncommonly  sensible,  and  (what  I  am 
grieved  to  say  is  still  more  uncommon  in  this  country) 
her  mind  is  much  improved  by  reading,  so  that  she  can 
entertain  a  company  with  a  large  variety  of  conversa- 
tion without  having  recourse  to  the  stale  and  trivial 
topics  of  commonplace,  or  to  the  ungenerous  and  dis- 


92  QUEENS  OP  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

graceful  topic  of  scandal.  She  is  not  handsome,  and  is, 
I  suppose,  twenty-seven  years  old  ;  yet,  were  she  in  com- 
pany with  twenty  of  the  most  beautiful  young  ladies  in 
the  State,  and  in  this  company  I  had  to  choose  my  seat, 
it  should  certainly  be  by  her  side.  I  have  been  en- 
deavoring, my  sister,  ever  since  I  returned  from  Europe, 
to  find  a  female  character  like  this,  united  to  great 
beauty  of  person ;  and  I  begin  to  have  the  same  preju- 
dice against  a  beauty  as  you  have  expressed  in  one  of 
your  letters  against  handsome  men." 

At  a  ball,  he  wrote :  "  It  fell  to  my  lot,  at  first,  to 
dance  with  the  handsomest  lady  in  the  company.  I  en- 
deavored to  enter  into  conversation  with  her;  but,  to 
every  thing  I  could  say,  the  only  answers  were,  '  Yes,' 
'No,'  'I  think  so,'  'Indeed.'  I  was  soon  tired  of  her, 
and  concluded  she  was  too  much  occupied  in  thinking 
of  herself  to  give  any  of  her  attention  to  other  people." 

Dr.  Abrier  Hersey,  of  Barn  stable,  Massachusetts, 
•was  accustomed  to  rail  at  the  fashions  of  the  day.  He 
lived  on  milk  and  vegetables,  and  wore  a  coat  made  of 
tanned  calf-skins.  The  widow  of  his  brother  once  pro- 
posed to  visit  him.  He  wrote :  "  Madam,  I  can't  have 
you  here ;  I  am  sick,  and  my  wife  is  sick ;  I  have  no 
hay  or  corn  for  your  horses ;  I  have  no  servants ;  and  I 
had  rather  be  chained  to  a  galley-oar  than  wait  on  you 
myself."  It  was  this  eccentric  man  who  founded  the 
professorship  of  Theory  and  Practice  of  Medicine  in 
Harvard  University. 

Chastellux  mentions  an  entertainment  given  by  Mrs. 


BELLES  IN  SOCIETY.  98 

Gushing,  where  Mrs.  Bowdoin  was  a  guest,  and  the  sup- 
per was  on  the  table  four  hours  after  dinner.*  Mrs. 
Gushing  was  the  wife  of  Judge  Gushing,  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  and  often  traveled  with  her  husband.  Mrs. 
Pinckney  wrote  to  her,  July  5,  1795  :  "  Mr.  Izard  con- 
trived to  overset  his  chair  and  himself  on  his  journey 
home,  and  dislocated  his  arm.  He  says  the  accident 
could  not  have  happened  had  he  taken  Mrs.  Izard  with 
him,  and  that  it  was  in  consequence  of  thinking  of 
politics  instead  of  the  road.  So  you  see,  my  dear  madam, 
in  what  a  variety  of  ways  your  traveling  with  Mr.  Gush- 
ing is  beneficial  to  him." 

John  Adams  wrote,  in  1774  :  "  "We  breakfasted  with 
Mr.  Isaac  Low,  a  gentleman  of  fortune  and  in  trade. 
His  lady  is  a  beauty."  Mrs.  Low  was  the  daughter  of 
Cornelius.  Cuyler,  Mayor  of  Albany,  and  was  greatly 
admired  in  New  York  society  for  her  personal  attrac- 
tions and  her  amiable  character.  She  died  in  London, 
at  the  age  of  eighty. 

The  eldest  Miss  Allen  was  one  of  the  most  splendid 
beauties  in  the  country.  She  became  Mrs.  Greenleaf. 
Mrs.  Adams  mentions  the  sisters  and  the  Misses  Chew 
among  "  a  constellation  of  beauties."  Mrs.  Theodore 
Sedgwick,  of  New  England,  had  a  charming  face  and  an 
air  of  elegance  and  refinement.  She  was  Miss  Pamela 
Dwight. 

*  "  The  aliments,"  he  says,  "  behave  with  the  American  stomach  as 
we  do  in  France  on  paying  visits ;  they  never  depart  till  they  see  others 
ente  •." 


94  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

In  point  of  influence,  Mercy  Warren  was  the  mcst 
remarkable  woman  who  lived  in  the  days  of  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution.  She  was  the  daughter  of  James  Otis, 
of  Barnstable,  in  the  old  colony  of  Plymouth.  The , 
Otis  family  came  to  this  country  about  1630,  and  first  j 
settled  in  Hingham.  Mercy  was  born  in  1728,  and 
passed  her  youth  in  retirement,  her  studies  being  direct- 
ed by  the  parish  minister,  who  directed  her  attention 
especially  to  history.  At  the  age  of  twenty-six  she 
married  James  Warren,  a  merchant,  and  resided  on  a 
farm.  Here  she  continued  her  literary  pursuits,  and 
amused  herself  by  writing  poetry.  Her  active  and  pow- 
erful mind  entered  with  deep  interest  into  political 
affairs,  and  she  maintained  a  rich  correspondence  with 
some  of  the  leading  spirits  of  the  Revolutionary  era. 
Samuel  and  John  Adams,  Jefferson,  Knox,  and  others, 
wrote  to  her,  and  consulted  her  in  regard  to  important 
matters.  Her  close  friendship  and  correspondence  with 
Mrs.  Adams  continued  unchanged  through  a  long  and 
eventful  life  ;  the  sister  of  Mrs.  Adams,  Mrs.  Shaw,  was 
also  warmly  attached  to  her.  During  the  years  pre- 
ceding the  war,  Mrs.  Warren's  house  was  the  resort 
of  much  company  ;  and,  as  she  said,  "  by  the  Plymouth 
fireside  were  many  political  plans  originated,  discussed,! 
and  digested."  During  the  war  she  lived  part  of  the 
time  in  Milton;  and  wherever  she  was,  the  friends  of 
her  country  were  always  welcomed  to  shelter  and  hos- 
pitality. Washington,  Lee,  Gates,  and  other  distin- 
guished officers,  were  frequently  her  guests;  also  Mrs. 


MRS.  WARREN.  95 

Washington  ;  and  her  social  influence  and  literary  abili- 
ties were  alike  directed  to  the  advancement  ..of  her  coun- 
try's cause.  She  wrote  poems,  tragedies,  political  letters, 
and  a  history  of  the  war,  in  which  her  pen  did  justice  to 
those  distinguished  by  merit.  Her  letters  to  the  widow 
of  General  Montgomery  and  other  eminent  women  have 
been  quoted  in  another  work,*  in  which  an  extended 
memoir  is  given. 

Mrs.  Warren  invited  Mrs.  Washington  to  her  house, 
and  paid  her  many  attentions  on  her  visit  to  head-quar- 
ters in  Cambridge.  In  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Mrs. 
Warren  describes  one  of  these  visits  to  Mrs.  Washington, 
and  a  drive  in  her  chariot  to  see  the  enemy's  deserted 
lines  and'  the  ruins  of  Charlestown.  Speaking  of  Mr. 
Custis,  she  says :  "  His  lady,  a  daughter  of  Colonel 
Culvert,  of  Maryland,  appears  to  be  of  an  engaging 
disposition,  but  very  delicate  in  health.  She  is  pretty, 
genteel,  easy,  and  agreeable;  but  a  kind  of  languor 
about  her  prevents  her  being  as  sociable  as  some 
ladies." 

One  of  Mrs.  Warren's  intimate  friends  was  Hannah 
Winthrop,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Winthrop,  of  Cambridge. 
The  two  ladies  corresponded  under  the  signatures  of 
"  Honoria "  and  "  Philomela ;"  the  last  name  being 
given  to  Mrs.  Warren  for  her  powers  of  song.  Her 
usual  poetic  signature  was  "Marcia."  Other  correspon- 
dents were  Mrs.  Montgomery  and  the  celebrated  Mrs. 
Macaulay. 

*  Women  of  the  American  Revolution. 


96  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN'   SOCIETY. 

Mrs.  "Warren  k  described  by  Rochefoucault,  in  his 
"Travels  in  the  United  States."  "Although  seventy 
years  of  age,  she  was,"  he  says,  "  truly  interesting ;  forj 
lively  in  conversation,  she  has  lost  neither  the  activity 
of  her  mind  nor  the  graces  of  her  person."  As  a  writer, 
she  was  in  advance  of  the  age.  Her  portraiture. of  Mr. 
Adams,  in  her  history,  gave  offense  to  the  great  states- 
man ;  but,  after  a  sharp  correspondence,  all  was  recon- 
ciled, and  Mrs.  Adams  sent  her  a  ring  with  her  own  and 
her  husband's  hair. 

Seldom  has  a  woman,  in  any  age,  acquired  such 
ascendency  by  the  mere  force  of  a  powerful  intellect, 
and  her  influence  continued  to  the  close  of  life. 


The  Due  de  la  Rochefoucault  Liancourt  said  of  Mrs. 
Knox :  "  Seeing  her  in  Philadelphia,  you  think  of  her 
only  as  a  fortunate  player  at  whist ;  at  her  house  in  the 
country,  you  discover  that  she  possesses  sprightliness, 
knowledge,  a  good  heart,  and  an  excellent  understand- 
ing." Her  father,  Thomas  Flucker,  was  the  last  Secre- 
tary of  the  Province  of  Massachusetts  Bay.  He  married 
Hannah,  the  daughter  of  General  Waldo,  proprietor  of 
the  Waldo  Patent,  in  Maine.  The  portions  of  this 
domain  belonging  to  Mrs.  Flucker  and  her  two  brothers 
were  afterwards  confiscated.  Flucker's  high  position 
gave  his  daughter,  in  girlhood,  the  advantages  of  the 
best  society  in  Boston.  Entitled,  as  she  was,  to  a  bril- 
haiit  match,  it  was  mortifying  to  her  parents  that  their 


MRS.    KNOX.  97 

lovely  and  accomplished  daughter  should  bestow  her 
affections  upon  an  obscure  young  man ;  one,  too,  who 
favored  the  rebellion  of  the  colonies  against  the  mother 
country.  The  maiden  found  that  her  marriage  with 
Henry  Knox  would  separate  her  from  her  dearest  rela- 
tives, but  love  triumphed  in  the  struggle,  and  she  cast 
her  all  on  the  die  that  was  to  decide  the  nation's  fate. 

After  her  marriage,  Mrs.  Knox  found  herself  in  the 
midst  of  new  surroundings.  She  was  much  in  the 
society  of  Mrs.  Washington,  and  even  more  constantly 
in  camp  with  the  army.  Her  influence  was  shown  in 
the  deference  uniformly  paid  to  her.  She  was  at  Mount 
Yernon  during  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  soothing  the  grief 
of  Mrs.  Washington,  in  bereavement,  by  her  affectionate 
sympathy.  After  the  close  of  the  war,  General  and 
Mrs.  Knox  returned  to  Boston,  where  they  found  great 
changes  in  society.  She  used  to  say,  "  The  scum  had  all 
risen  to  the  top."  The  prominent  loyalists  had  fled  the 
country.  Knox  took  charge  of  the  War  Department 
under  the  old  Confederation,  and  they  removed  to  New 
York.  They  found  a  disposition  general  to  welcome  the 
new  era  with  social  festivities.  Mrs.  Washington  was 
sovereign  of  the  new  court,  and  Mrs.  Knox,  her  intimate 
friend  and  close  neighbor,  occupied  a  high  post  of  honor. 

The  removal  of  the  capital  to  Philadelphia  was  the 
signal  for  hilarity  and  rejoicings  in  the  latter  place.  It 
was  said  that  the  influence  of  Eobert  Morris  had  led  to 
this  removal,  and  he  was  caricatured  in  New  York  by 
pictures  exhibiting  the  great  financier  carrying  off  the 


98  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

body  of  Congress  on  his  back,  with  the  motto,  "  Stick  to 
it,  Bobby."  The  world  of  fashion  seemed  to  have  run 
mad.  All  kinds  of  entertainments  became  popular,  and 
ladies  prominent  as  leaders  were  emulous  in  gayety  and 
splendor.  Mrs.  Knox  made  her  house  the  resort  not 
only  of  fashionable  people,  but  of  the  intellectual  and 
cultivated.  Her  tact  and  talent  in  the  management  of 
life  "at  the  court"  were  of  essential  service  to  Mrs. 
Washington,  who  relied  on  her  guidance.  The  French 
Revolution  brought  an  accession  of  many  illustrious 
visitors,  in  princes  and  nobles  driven  from  their  own 
land.  The  house  of  General  Knox  was  hospitably  open 
to  them,  and  some  were  entertained  as  his  cherished 
guests.  The  Due  de  Liancourt  passed  several  seasons 
with  them  at  their  beautiful  home  in  Maine.  In  his 
destitution  of  proper  apparel  he  was  heard  to  exclaim : 
"  I  have  three  dukedoms  on  my  head  (beating  it  with 
violence),  and  not  one  coat  to  my  back !"  The  suit  was 
immediately  supplied  from  the  wardrobe  of  the  General, 
and  the  kindness  was  gratefully  remembered  when  the 
nobleman  was  restored  to  favor  and  wealth.  Another 
visitor,  both  in  Philadelphia  and  Maine,  was  the  cele- 
brated Talleyrand.  La  Fayette  visited  General  and 
Mrs.  Knox  in  Boston,  and  stood  godfather  to  their  son. 

On  the  retirement  of  General  Knox,  in  1795,  they 
finally  quitted  Philadelphia.  Mrs.  Knox  was  the  only 
one  of  her  family  entitled  to  inherit  property  in  the 
United  States,  and  one-fifth  of  the  large  tract  of  land 
in  Maine,  the  "Waldo  Patent" — originally  owned  by 


MRS.  KNOX:  99 

her  grandfather,  General  Waldo — belonged  to  her.  Gen- 
eral Knox  bought  a  tract  of  equal  extent  from  another 
branch  of  the  family,  and  determined  to  establish  a  new 
home  on  this  noble  estate.  At  Thomaston,  at  the  head 
of  St.  George's  Elver,  he  built  a  splendid  mansion ;  a 
palace  in  dimensions,  and  called  a  "  chateau "  by  his 
French  visitors.  It  was  furnished  with  luxurious  taste ; 
the  outhouses  comprised  every  convenience ;  and  a  vast 
amount  of  expenditure  rendered  "  Montpelier  "  really  a 
princely  abode.  Here  the  retired  soldier  exercised  un- 
bounded hospitality ;  receiving  the  great,  patriotic,  and 
distinguished  of  the  land,  and  frequently  entertaining 
total  strangers,  who  came  with  real  or  assumed  claims. 
Louis  Philippe  and  his  two  younger  brothers,  the  Due 
de  Montpensier,  the  Comte  de  Beaujolais,  and  Due  de 
Charolais  were  often  welcome  visitors  at  the  house  of 
Knox,  in  Boston,  where  he  and  Mrs.  Knox  were  accus- 
tomed to  spend  their  winters.  The  daughter  of  Mrs. 
Knox  remembered  the  princes'  expressions  of  anxiety 
about  their  mother  and  sister,  still  in  the  power  of 
French  Jacobins.  One  day  when  they  came  to  dinner 
she  saw  them,  with  apparent  joy,  tear  the  tri-colored 
cockade  from  their  hats,  and  trample  them  under  foot. 
News  had  just  come  of  the  escape  of  their  relatives  into 
Spain ;  and  they  would  no  longer  keep  terms  with  the 
wretches  who  bore  sway  in  their  native  country  ! 

The  hospitality  dispensed  at  Thomaston  was  such  as 
the  country  has  seldom  seen.  It  was  not  unusual  to 
order  an  ox  and  twenty  sheep  killed  on  Monday,  to  be 


100  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

consumed  by  guests  in  the  course  of  the  week,  and  to 
have  a  hundred  beds  made  daily.  Their  daughter,  Mrs, 
Thacher,  wrote  to  the  author  of  this  volume  : — 

"  My  mother,  I  think,  was  never  more  entirely  satis- 
fied with  her  situation.  Her  greatest  trouble  was,  that 
the  retirement  she  anticipated  was  far  from  being  real 
ized.  My  father's  hospitable  propensities  still  induced 
him  to  open  his  doors  to  all  who  were  disposed  to  visit 
him  ;  and,  as  every  thing  that  could  interest  or  amuse 
was  liberally  provided,  we  were  often  favored  much 
longer  than  was  desirable  with  the  company  of  guests 
who  were  entire  strangers,  and  had  no  possible  claim. 
It  was  to  some  such  visitors  as  these,  I  doubt  not,  that 
my  mother  may  have  appeared  distant  and  haughty. 
Such  instances  I  well  recollect,  particularly  when  these 
unasked  visits  were  unreasonably  prolonged  ;  but  those 
whom  she  liked,  or  was  at  all  interested  in,  would  have 
given  her  a  far  different  character." 

It  was  in  the  second  summer  of  Mrs.  Knox's  resi- 
dence in  Maine  that  a  party  from  Philadelphia,  consist- 
ing of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bingham,  their  two  daughters,  Miss 
Willing,  the  sister  of  Mrs.  Bingham,  said  to  have  been 
sought  in  marriage  by  Louis  Philippe,  the  Yiscount  de 
Noailles,  the  brother-in-law  of  La  Fayette,  and  one  of 
the  most  polished  nobles  of  the  French  Court — Mr. 
Eichards,  an  English  gentleman,  and  Mr.  Baring,  after- 
wards Lord  Ashburton,  passed  six  weeks  at  Montpelier. 
The  gentlemen  made  extensive  excursions  through  the 
adjacent  country,  and  Messrs.  Bingham  and  Baring 


HKS.    KNOX.  101 

were  induced  to  purchase  a  million  of  acres  on  the  Ken- 
nebeck,  and  a  tract  somewhat  smaller  east  of  the  Waldo 
Patent.  The  wilds  of  Maine  were  thus  enlivened  by 
the  most  brilliant  of  the  society  of  the  national  capital 
their  companionship  solacing  the  depressed  spirits  of 
Mrs.  Knox,  who  suffered  many  sorrows  in  the  loss  of 
children.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  her  days 
were  spent  in  retirement.  She  died  in  June,  1824,  at 
the  age  of  sixty -eight. 

Justice  has  not  been  done  to  Mrs.  Knox,  either  by 
chroniclers  of  the  times  or  by  contemporaries  who  were 
not  admitted  to  intimacy,  and  failed,  in  consequence,  to 
perceive  that  she  had  a  heart  full  of  warm  sensibilities. 
She  had  a  mind  of  a  high  and  powerful  cast,  with  such 
qualities  as  make  a  deep  and  abiding  impression,  and 
her  influence  was  marked  on  all  who  approached  her. 
But  some  called  her  dignity  hauteur,  and  gave  the  name 
of  boldness  to  the  independence  of  a  calm  and  lofty 
spirit.  She  gave  a  decided  tone  to  the  manners  of  the 
day  in  general  society,  and  the  deference  shown  her  by 
General  and  Mrs.  Washington  sanctioned  the  homage 
paid  to  her  superior  intellect. 

Mrs.  Knox  was  a  remarkably  fine-looking  woman. 
Without  being  tall,  her  dignity  of  manner  gave  her  a 
commanding  appearance ;  and  she  had  a  blooming  com- 
plexion and  brilliant  black  eyes.  Stuart,  who  painted 
the  General,  attempted  a  portrait  of  her,  but  became 
dissatisfied,  rubbed  it  out,  and  would  never  resume  the 
work. 


102  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

The  daughters  of  William  Sheaffe,  of  Boston,  were 
noted  for  beauty  and  fashion.  A  romantic  incident  is 
remembered  of  Captain  Ponsonby  Molesworth,  a  nephew 
of  Lord  Ponsonby,  landing  at  Boston,  in  command  of 
British  troops,  and  halting  opposite  the  house  of  Mr. 
Sheaffe.  Susanna  Sheaffe  and  her  sisters  were  in  the 
balcony  or  piazza.  Captain  Molesworth,  struck  with 
the  girl's  beauty,  exclaimed,  "  That  girl  seals  my  fate !" 
She  was  at  the  time  about  fifteen.  The  Captain  ob- 
tained an  introduction,  visited  her,  and  proposed  mar- 
riage, but  the  father  refused  his  consent.  The  young 
lady  agreed  to  an  elopement,  and,  accompanied  by 
her  governess,  fled  with  her  lover  to  Rhode  Island, 
where  they  were  married.  They  afterwards  went 
abroad. 

Margaret  Sheaffe  married  John  R.  Livingston,  then 
a  Boston  merchant,  and  died  in  Boston,  1784,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-four.  "  So  handsome  no  one  could  take  her 
picture."  La  Fayette  visited  and  admired  her.  lie 
said  once  to  her  lover,  "  Were  I  not  a  married  man  I 
would  try  to  cut  you  out."  After  his  return  to  France, 
the  Marquis  sent  her  a  "  satin  cardinal,  lined  with 
ermine,  and  an  elegant  silk  garment  to  wear  under  it." 
The  relic  was  long  preserved. 

Helen,  another  daughter,  "like  a  rosebud  just  open- 
ing to  view,"  married  James  Lovell,  afterwards  an  officer 
in  the  naval  service.  At  thirteen  she  wrote  a  poem  in 
answer  to  the  question,  "  What  is  religion  ?"  She  died 
in  Boston,  1802,  at  the  age  of  thirty-three.  Her  daugh- 


MRS.    ADAMS.  103 

ter,  Mrs.  Loring,  resides  at  Brookline,  Massachusetts. 
Lady  Temple  was  very  intimate  with  the  ladies  of  the 
Sheaffe  family.  William  Sheaife  was  nephew  and  heir 
to  Major-General  Sir  Koger  Hale  Sheaife,  Baronet. 


Abigail  Adams  was  descended  from  the  genuine 
stock  of  the  Puritan  settlers  of  Massachusetts.  She  was 
the  daughter  of  Rev.  William  Smith — pastor  during  forty 
years  of  the  Congregational  church  at  Weymouth,  in  the 
colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay — and  of  Elizabeth  Quincy, 
born  in  1744.  In  October,  1764,  she  married  John 
Adams,  then  a  young  lawyer  of  Braintree,  afterwards 
the  second  President  of  the  United  States.  She  passed 
with  her  family  through  the  horrors  of  war  and  many 
scenes  of  distress,  after  peace  leaving  her  modest  home 
to  accompany  Mr.  Adams  on  his  mission  as  the  first 
representative  of  the  United  States  at  the  British  Court. 
She  passed  some  years  abroad,  visiting  France  and  the 
Netherlands ;  and  her  letters  to  her  sister  are  a  faithful 
transcript  of  life  in  the  Old  World.  She  bore  an  impor- 
tant part  in  the  nation's  early  history,  while  sustaining 
its  social  fame.  Her  republican  simplicity  of  manners 
was  compensated  by  habitual  elevation  of  demeanor, 
which  commanded  the  highest  consideration ;  and  hei 
close  observation,  clear  judgment  and  discrimination, 
enabled  her  to  exercise  an  influence  widely  acknow- 
ledged. When  Adams  entered  on  the  Yice  Presidency, 
and  when  afterwards  he  became  Chief  Magistrate  of  the 


104  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

nation,  the  worthy  partner  of  his  honors  added  grace 
and  dignity  to  her  elevated  position.  One  chief  charm 
of  her  conversation  was  the  perfect  sincerity  apparent  in 
all  she  said.  By  her  cheerful,  affectionate  sympathy  and 
buoyant  spirit,  her  sensibility,  tact,  and  practical  know- 
ledge of  life,  she  sustained  her  husband  in  the  severest 
cares  and  labors  of  his  station,  disarmed  the  demon  of 
party  spirit,  calmed  the  agitation  of  discord,  plucked  out 
the  root  of  bitterness,  and  healed  the  wounds  of  political 
animosity.  She  was,  indeed,  fitted  for  eminent^  useful- 
ness as  the  companion  of  one  great  statesman  and  the 
guide  of  another.  After  the  President's  retirement  to 
private  life,  she  continued  to  feel  a  deep  interest  in 
public  affairs,  as  is  shown  in  her  correspondence  with 
Mercy  Warren.  Mrs.  Adams's  exemplary  deportment, 
during  the  twelve  years  of  her  husband's  connection  with 
the  American  government,  and  her  well-known  devotion 
to  him,  with  her  superior  mental  endowments,  gave  her  a 
ruling  social  influence  founded  on  universal  esteem.  She 
always  maintained  a  liberal  hospitality,  was  faithful  and 
warm  in  her  friendships,  kind  and  benevolent  to  the 
poor,  and  a  bright  example  of  womanly  and  Christian 
virtues.  During  her  later  years,  she  lived  in  rural  seclu- 
sion at  Quincy,  and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-four, 
October,  1818. 

Mrs.  Adams  thus  described  her  residence  on  Rich- 
mond Hill :  "  The  avenue  to  which  is  interspersed  with 
forest  trees,  under  which  a  shrubbery  rather  too  luxu- 
riant and  wild  has  taken  shelter.  In  front  of  the  house 


MES.   CRANCH. — MRS.    SHAW.  105 

the  noble  Hudson  rolls  his  majestic  waves,  bearing  on 
his  bosom  innumerable  small  vessels.  Beyond  the  Hud- 
son rises  to  view  the  fertile  country  of  the  Jerseys, 
covered  witL  a  golden  harvest,  and  pouring  forth  plenty 
like  the  cornucopia  of  Ceres.  On  the  right  hand  an 
extensive  plain  presents  us  with  a  view  of  fields  covered 
with  verdure  and  pastures  full  of  cattle.  On  the  left  the 
city  opens  upon  us,  intercepted  only  by  clumps  of  trees 
and  some  rising  ground.  In  the  background  is  a  large 
flower-garden,  inclosed  with  a  hedge,  and  some  very 
handsome  trees ;  on  one  side  is  a  grove  of  pines  and 
oaks  fit  for  contemplation." 

The  mother  of  Mrs.' Adams  was  the  daughter  of  Hon. 
John  Quincy,  of  Braintree.  She  possessed  great  dignity, 
combined  with  benignity  of  character.  She  had  three 
celebrated  daughters.  The  eldest,  Mary,  in  1762  mar- 
ried Richard  Cranch,  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  in  Massachusetts ;  the  youngest,  Elizabeth,  mar- 
ried Eev.  John  Shaw,  of  Haverhill,  and  after  his  death 
Eev.  Stephen  Peabody,  of  Atkinson.  These  ladies  were 
handsome,  with  polished  and  courtly  manners,  and  supe- 
rior powers  of  conversation ;  for  they  had  high  culture 
and  were  well  read  in  the  English  classics.  Mrs.  Shaw's 
house,  at  Haverhill,  was  the  centre  of  an  elegant  circle 
of  society  for  many  years  after  the  Revolution ;  the 
resort  of  the  most  cultivated  residents  of  Boston  and  the 
vicinity ;  and  light  and  joy  were  liberally  dispensed  by 
the  accomplished  mistress.  As  Mrs.  Peabody  she  corre- 
sponded with  Mrs.  Warren,  and  with  her  brother-in-law, 


106  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

John  Adams.  Her  manuscript  journal  describes  a  din- 
ner on  bacon  and  eggs  on  the  road  to  Plymouth,  a  quilt- 
ing by  the  daughters  of  the  house,  and  her  reading  to 
them  from  her  book,  "  Zulima  the  Coquette,"  "  Virtue 
and  Constancy  Kewarded,"  &c. 

Abigail,  the  daughter  of  John  and  Abigail  Adams, 
was  married  in  London,  1786,  to  Colonel  William  S. 
Smith,  then  Secretary  of  Legation.  She  returned  to  the 
United  States  in  May,  1788. 

She  describes  the  Marchioness  de  Brehan,  sister  of 
the  French  Minister,  as  "the  oddest  figure  eyes  ever 
beheld;  she  speaks  English  a  little,  and  is  very  much 
out  of  health."  Madame  de  Brehan  wrote  with  spirit, 
and  was  an  accomplished  artist.  She  painted  portraits 
of  Washington,  one  of  which  he  presented  to  Mrs.  Bing- 
ham.  Jefferson  wrote  to  her,  on  her  quitting  Paris  for 
the  United  States :  "  The  imitations  of  European  man- 
ners which  you  will  find  in  our  towns,  will,  I  fear,  be 
little  pleasing.  I  beseech  you  to  practice  still  your  own, 
which  will  furnish  them  a  model  of  what  is  perfect. 
Should  you  be  singular,  it  will  be  by  excellence." 

Mrs.  Smith  wrote  of  Mrs.  Clinton :  "  Mrs.  Clinton  is 
not  a  showy,  but  a  kind,  friendly  woman.  She  has  five 
daughters  and  one  son ;  the  second  daughter  is  as  smart 
and  sensible  a  girl  as  ever  I  knew ;  a  zealous  politician 
and  a  high  anti-Federalist. 

"  You  would  not  be  much  pleased  with  society  here. 
It  is  quite  enough  dissipated.  Public  dinners,  public 
days,  and  private  parties,  may  take  up  a  person's  whole 


NEW  YORK  GAYETIES.  107 

attention.  The  President  of  Congress  gives  a  dinner 
one  or  two  or  more  days  every  week,  to  twenty  persons — 
gentlemen  and  ladies.  Mr.  Jay,  I  believe,  gives  a  din- 
ner almost  every  week." 

The  dignity  of  office  was  then  maintained  by  forms 
designed  to  inspire  respect,  and  special  regard  was  paid 
to  the  wives  of  men  who  had  deserved  much  of  their 
country.  The  widows  of  Greene  and  Montgomery  were 
always  handed  to  and  from  their  carriages  by  the  Presi- 
dent himself,  the  secretaries  and  gentlemen  of  his  house- 
hold performing  those  offices  for  the  other  ladies. 

These  New  York  gayeties,  in  1788,  had  been  in- 
creased by  numerous  weddings  in  fashionable  circles. 
Miss  Montgomery,  in  her  "  Eeminiscences,"  relates  an 
anecdote  of  a  wedding  at  the  Rutgers'  Mansion.  Her 
grandfather,  who  was  to  sail  at  daylight,  was  persuaded 
to  stay  to  the  wedding-supper.  He  took  his  departure 
after  eleven  o'clock,  a  servant  being  ordered  to  conduct 
him  through  a  huckleberry  swamp  on  the  way  to  his 
lodgings.  He  declined  the  service,  but  the  moon  going 
down,  he  lost  his  way,  and  wandered  all  night  among 
thorns  and  briers,  emerging  at  dawn  with  his  clothes 
nearly  torn  off.  This  swamp  was  long  ago  the  centre 
of  the  city. 

The  correspondence  of  John  Quincy  Adams  with 
his  sister  gives  an  amusing  picture  of  the  times.  Before 
her  marriage  he  visited  the  family  of  Colonel  Smith,  at 
Jamaica,  Long  Island.  There  were  six  daughters. 
"Sally  is  tall,  with  a  fine  shape,  blue  eyes,  and  much 


108  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

vivacity."  "  She  has,"  he  says,  "  the  ease  and  elegance 
of  the  French  ladies,  without  their  loquacity."  This 
lady  married  his  brother,  Charles  Adams,  a  few  years 
later.  He  mentions  also  a  "  celebrated  beauty,  Miss 
Ogden,  who  resembles  the  handsome  Mrs.  Bingham,  of 
Philadelphia ;  also  a  Miss  Yon  Berckel,  who  complains 
of  not  understanding  our  language."  "-Lady  Wheate  is 
one  of  the  most  celebrated  belles  of  the  city.  About 
two  years  ago  she  married  Sir  Jacob  Wheate,  a  British 
officer  between  sixty  and  seventy — she  not  yet  sixteen. 
Sir  Jacob,  before  he  had  been  married  a  week,  went  to 
the  West  Indies,  and  there  died,  leaving  her  a  handsome 
fortune.  It  is  said  she  is  soon  to  wed  Sir  Francis  Coch- 
rane,  son  of  Lord  Dundonald,  a  Scotch  nobleman. 

"  Miss  Sally  Smith  was  with  Lady  Wheate,  having 
spent  nearly  a  week  with  her.  I  am  vastly  pleased  with 
this  lady ;  the  contrast  between  her  manners  and  those 
of  Lady  Wheate  is  greatly  in  her  favor,  and  very 
striking." 

He  wrote  of  Lady  Duer,  whom  Adams  met  at  a 
dinner  at  General  Knox's : — 

"Lady  Duer  is  not  young  or  handsome;  but  she 
would  not  have  been  thought  old  by  a  man  over 
eighteen,  and  she  had  been,  if  she  was  not  then,  one  of 
the  sweetest  looking  women  in  the  city. 

"  Miss  Sears  is  very  pretty,  and  has  the  reputation 
of  being  witty  and  sharp.  I  am  sure  she  does  not  look 
mechante"  After  a  passage  of  more  than  twelve  weeks 
from.  Amsterdam,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Yon  Berckel 


MADAME   DE   MARBOIS.  109 

arrived  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  Minister  went  out  to 
meet  her.  Adams  had  seen  her  in  Holland.  "  The 
young  ladies  here  are  very  impatient  to  see  her,  and  I 
dare  say,  when  she  comes,  reflections  will  not  be  spared 
on  either  side.  The  beauties  of  New  York  will  triumph; 
but,  I  hope,  with  moderation."  "  Oh,  that  our  young 
ladies  were  as  Distinguished  for  the  beauties  of  their 
minds  as  they  are  for  the  charms  of  their  persons !  But 
alas !  too  many  of  them  are  like  a  beautiful  apple  that  is 
insipid  to  the  taste !" 

M.  de  Marbois,  French  Charge  d' Affaires  in  1784, 
had  married  Miss  Moore.  General  Washington  wrote 
to  congratulate  him  on  his  union,  alluding  to  "  the 
accomplishments  of  the  lady,  and  her  connections." 
Their  daughter,  born  in  New  York,  married  the  Duke 
de  Plaisance,  the  son  of  Le  Brun,  one  of  Napoleon's 
colleagues  in  the  Consulate.  Madame  de  Marbois  was  a 
spruce,  pretty  little  woman ;  she  spoke  French  habitu- 
ally, and  had  none  of  the  rigid  notions  of  the  Quakers, 
among  whom  she  was  born.  John  Quincy  Adams 
writes,  in  1785,  after  a  visit  to  her  house  on  Long 
Island:  "Madame  de  Marbois  may  be  called  a  pretty 
little  woman ;  she  was  a  Quaker,  but  appears  not  to 
retain  any  of  the  rigid  tenets  of  that  sect." 


The  wife  of  John  Quincy  Adams  was  Louisa  Cath- 
erine, daughter  of  Joshua  Johnson,  of  Maryland.  She 
was  born  in  London,  in  1775,  and  spent  her  early  years 


110  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

in  England  and  France.  Her  father's  house  in  London 
was  the  general  resort  for  Americans.  She  was  married 
to  Mr.  Adams  in  July,  1797.  He  had  been  resident 
Minister  at  the  Hague.  After  the  elder  Adams  became 
President  his  son  was  Minister  to  Berlin,  where  his 
young  wife  performed  her  part  in  the  higher  circles  of 
social  and  political  life.  She  proved  quke  competent  to 
sustain  honors  with  dignity,  and  her  good  humor  and 
conciliating  manners  made  friends.  In  1801  she  re- 
turned with  Adams  to  the  United  States ;  and,  as  he 
was  Senator,  their  winters  were  passed  in  Washington, 
while  their  summers  were  spent  in  Boston.  In  1808, 
Adams  was  appointed  by  Madison  the  first  accredited 
Minister  to  Russia ;  and  his  wife  was  the  first  lady  pre- 
sented at  that  Court  as  the  representative  of  American 
female  manners  and  character.  The  impression  she 
made  was  eminently  favorable.  While  Adams  was  at 
Ghent,  to  negotiate  a  mediation  between  England  and 
the  United  States,  Mrs.  Adams  passed  the  winter  alone 
at  St.  Petersburgh.  In  the  spring  she  set  off  to  travel 
by  land  to  Paris,  to  join  her  husband.  The  dangers  of 
the  journey  were  great,  in  a  small  carriage,  with  only 
her  son,  eight  years  of  age,  besides  menials.  The  car- 
riage got  buried  in  a  snow-drift  as  night  was  coming  on, 
and  the  servants  were  compelled  to  rouse  the  peasants 
to  dig  it  out.  They  heard  tales  of  robbery  and  mur- 
der at  every  stopping-place,  and  were  cautioned  as  to 
the  character  of  the  servants.  A  Polish  cap  worn  by 
one  nearly  caused  a  riot.  The  hostility  shown  was  so 


MRS.   JOHN   QUINCY  ADAMS.  Ill 

alarming,  Mrs.  Adams  was  obliged  to  dismiss  her  atten- 
dants and  hire  others  to  go  on.  Then  they  became 
entangled  with  the  wild  soldiery,  elated  by  news  from 
Napoleon,  on  their  way  to  Paris  to  prepare,  under  his 
inspection,  for  the  field  of  Waterloo.  These  troops 
requiring  demonstrations  of  political  faith,  Mrs.  Adams 
appealed  to  the  commander  of  the  detachment,  and 
by  his  advice  fell  back  till  the  last  of  the  soldiers 
had  passed.  She  then  diverged  into  another  road,  and 
by  a  circuit  avoided  another  meeting.  Her  calmness 
and  presence  of  mind  were  of  essential  service  in  these 
trying  situations.  She  arrived  safely  in  Paris,  March, 
1815,  very  shortly  before  the  memorable  arrival  of  Napo- 
leon and  flight  of  the  Bourbons.  She  had  opportunities 
for  seeing  every  thing  at  the  beginning  of  the  celebrated 
"  hundred  days." 

When  Mr.  Adams  was  appointed  Minister  to  Eng- 
land, she  quitted  France  for  their  sweet  and  modest 
country-seat  near  London.  After  his  eight  years'  ab- 
sence, Adams  returned  to  America  in  181V,  and  she 
resumed  the  habits  of  republican  life,  unspoiled  by  court 
customs,  and  unawed  by  civil  or  military  supremacy. 
The  society  in  Washington  was  then  on  a  most  agree- 
able footing ;  it  was  "  the  era  of  good  feelings,"  and  the 
relenting  of  national  animosity,  and  the  ascendency  of 
polished  urbanity.  Mrs.  Adams  presided  with  ease  and 
graceful  courtesy  for  eight  years  in  the  house  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  State.  Her  sprightly  conversation  and  capa- 
city for  enjoyment  produced  a  benign  and  enlivening 


112  QUEEN'S  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

effect  in  the  circles  where  she  moved.  When  the  con 
test  for  the  election  of  President  began,  she  retired,  in  a 
measure,  from  society,  and  continued  in  seclusion  till 
called  to  do  the  honors  of  the  Executive  mansion  as  the 
wife  of  the  President.  lier  mariners  were  elegant, 
though  her  tastes  were  extremely  simple.  The  failure 
of  her  health  made  it  necessary  for  her  again  to  seek 
retirement,  and  she  was  no  longer  seen  in  fashionable 
circles,  though  she  still  presided  at  public  receptions. 
When  Mr.  Adams's  term  expired,  her  retirement  became 
complete;  the  remainder  of  life  being  devoted  to  the 
cares  of  her  family  and  the  practice  of  homely  do- 
mestic virtues. 


THE   QUINCY  FAMILY.  113 


IV. 


THE  Quincy  family  can  be  traced  back  for  more  than 
BIX  centuries.  Supposed  to  be  of  Norwegian  origin,  it 
received  its  territorial  appellation  from  the  village  of 
Quincy,  in  Normandy.  Eobert  de  Quincy  came  from 
Normandy  to  England  with  William  the  Conqueror. 
As  a  feudal  baron,  after  the  conquest  he  held  an  emi- 
nent position.  His  grandson  was  created  Earl  of  Win- 
chester by  King  John,  about  1207.  He  attended  the 
call  of  the  convention  between  King  John  and  the 
barons,  which  resulted  in  extorting  from  the  monarch 
the  grant  of  Magna  Charta;  thus  helping  to  establish 
the  earliest  basis  of  English  constitutional  liberty.  The 
title  of  Winchester  soon  became  extinct  for  lack  of  male 
heirs,  but  the  daughters  married  into  illustrious  families 
in  England.  Edmund  Quincy  came  to  Boston  with  the 
Reverend  John  Cotton,  in  1633.  His  name  and  his 
wife's  are  on  the  record  of  the  first  church  established — 
the  "Old  South."  His  son  Edmund  inherited  and 
settled  upon  his  father's  estate  at  Mount  Wollaston, 
afterwards  Brain  tree,  now  Quincy.  His  grandson,  John 
Quincy,  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  public  char- 
acters of  the  period,  serving,  in  succession,  as  a  represen- 
tative of  Braintree  and  a  member  of  the  Executive 


114  QUEENS  OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETY 

Council,  forty  years.  His  patrimonial  estate  passed  lo 
the  possession  of  his  great  grandson,  John  Quincy 
Adams.  Edmund,  the  uncle  of  John,  was  also  eminent 
in  public  life,  and  became  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court 
in  1718.  He  was  appointed  by  the .  General  Court  of 
Massachusetts  their  agent  at  the  court  of  Great  Britain 
in  the  controversy  between  the  provinces  of  Massachu- 
setts Bay  and  New  Hampshire,  and  died  while  employed 
on  the  mission,  in  1738.  The  General  Court,  in  acknowl- 
edgment, made  a  donation  of  a  thousand  acres  of  land  in 
the  town  of  Lenox,  Berkshire  County,  to  his  heirs.  His 
eldest  son,  Edmund,  who  lived  on  the  ancestral  estate  at 
Brain  tree,  was  the  father  of  Dr.  Jacob  Quincy,  and 
Dorothy,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Some  of  the  family 
removed  to  Portland,  Maine.  Dr.  Quincy's  eldest  daugh- 
ter married  Hon.  Asa  Clapp,  and  her  daughter  was  the 
wife  of  Hon.  Levi  Woodbury,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
of  the  United  States.  The  celebrated  philosopher  and 
rhapsodist,  Thomas  de  Quincy,  was  of  this  family,  and 
boasted,  even  in  the  ears  of  George  III.,  of  his  ancient 
and  honorable  blood. 

Sullivan  pronounced  John  Hancock  "  one  of  the 
greatest  men  of  his  age."  The  honor  which  encircled 
his  name  received  added  lustre  from  his  wife.  She  was 
a  leader  of  taste  and  fashion  in  the  best  circles  of  society. 
The  daughter  of  Judge  Edmund  Quincy,  she  was  born 
in  1748.  In  1775,  Dorothy  Quincy  was  married  to  John 
Hancock,  then  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  afterwards 
President  of  the  first  Congress.  The  wedding  took  place 


MRS.    HAXCOCK.  115 

at  the  country-seat  of  Thaddeus  Burr,  in  Fail-field, 
Connecticut.*  Mr.  Hancock  had  gone  thither  for  safety, 
and  was  in  concealment  with  Samuel  Adams,  a  price 
having  been  put  upon  their  heads  by  the  King  of  Eng- 
land. It  was  not  deemed  safe  for  Mr.  Hancock  to 
return,  that  the  marriage  might  take  place  in  Boston. 
Their  meals  were  privately  conveyed  to  them,  and  they 
were  kept  in  strict  seclusion.  After  a  time,  they  were 
permitted  to  sit  down  to  the  dinner  table  with  the 
members  of  the  family,  in  expectation  of  a  comfortable 
repast.  Before  they  had  realized  the  anticipated  pleas- 
ure, a  farmer  from  the  neighborhood  came  in,  greatly 
excited,  and  requested  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark  (at  whose 
house  the  fugitives  were  staying)  to  lend  him  his  horse 
and  chaise  to  go  after  his  wife,  as  "the  British  were 
coming."  This  news  in  a  moment  scattered  the  whole 
party.  Adams  and  Hancock  were  hurried  away  to  their 
hiding-place ;  and  Mrs.  Hancock  used  to  say  it  was 
always  a  matter  of  wonder  to  her  what  became  of  that 
dinner,  for  none  who  sat  down  to  it  ever  tasted  it.  The 
alarm  was  occasioned  by  a  false  report ;  but  there  was  a 
time  when  the  leaden  balls  of  the  enemy  reached  the 
house  that  sheltered  them.  A  fortnight  after  the  birth 
of  her  first  child,  Mrs.  Hancock  was  conveyed  on  a  bed, 
with  her  baby,  to  her  carriage,  to  travel  from  Boston  in 

*  I  am  indebted  for  the  reminiscences  in  this  sketch  to  Miss  Martha 
A.  Quincy,  of  Boston,  the  grand-daughter  of  Mrs.  Hancock's  youngest 
brother,  Dr.  Jacob  Quincy,  and  the  companion  of  Mrs.  Hancock  during 
the  last  ten  years  of  her  life.  Her  reminiscences  were  a  contribution  to 
Mrs.  Lincoln  Phelps'  volume  entitled  "  Our  Country." 


116  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

the  winter  to  Philadelphia,  in  company  with  her  hus- 
band, then  chosen  President  of  the  first  Congress.  She 
often  spoke  of  his  reluctance,  from  natural  modesty,  to 
accept  the  office.  While  he  hesitated,  one  of  the  mem- 
bers clasped  him  around  the  waist,  lifted  him  from  his 
feet,  and  placed  him  in  the  chair  of  state. 

"While  Mrs.  Hancock  was  in  Philadelphia,  her  hus- 
band came  to  her  room  one  day,  saying  he  had  a  secret 
to  communicate,  which  must  be  faithfully  kept.  It  was 
that  he  had  that  day  received  a  letter  from  home,  stating 
that  it  was  thought  it  would  be  necessary  to  burn  the 
city  of  Boston,  to  prevent  its  falling  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy ;  and,  as  his  wealth  was  centered  there,  he 
was  asked  if  he  would  be  willing  to  sacrifice  all  his 
property  for  such  an  object.  He  immediately  replied 
that  he  gave  his  full  consent  to  commit  his  property  to 
the  flames,  if  the  good  of  the  people  demanded  it.  This, 
Mrs.  Hancock  answered,  was  rather  a  disagreeable  secret. 
Her  husband  acknowledged  that  it  would  reduce  them  to 
beggary.  But  his  purpose  was  fixed — he  wished  his 
possessions  to  be  devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  his 
country. 

His  wife  was  at  this  time  just  preparing  to  attend  a 
Quaker  meeting  for  the  first  time.  This  terrible  an- 
nouncement, or  the  thought  of  what  might  be  the  result, 
did  not  overcome  her  even  so  much  as  to  deter  her  from 
the  proposed  attendance  upon  the  meeting.  She  often 
told  her  friends  how  the  room  was  crowded  when  she 
arrived  at  the  place,  and  how  the  painful  secret  weighed 


MRS.    HANCOCK.  117 

upon  her  as  she  sat  there  three  hours,  waiting  to  hear 
svhat  she  supposed  would  be  a  speech,  from  which  she 
hoped  mental  relief  for  the  time.  But  no  relief  came ; 
for  no  utterance  broke  the  silence  before  the  time  for 
parting.  On  further  consideration,  the  inhabitants  of 
Boston  deemed  it  unnecessary  to  burn  the  town. 

At  the  time  when  the  "continental  money"  was 
nearly  worthless,  Governor  Hancock's  sympathies  led 
him  to  continue  taking  the  bad  paper  of  those  who  pre- 
sented it,  until  his  friends  saw  that  he  would  soon  dis- 
pose, in  this  way,  of  his  whole  fortune.  They  told  his 
wife  that  the  "  money -trunk "  must  be  removed  from 
the  house,  or  she  and  her  child  would  be  penniless.  It 
was  removed  without  consulting  the  Governor.  At 
that  time  he  resided  in  the  then  magnificent  mansion 
built  by  Thomas  Hancock,  and  left  at  his  death  to  his 
adopted  nephew,  John  Hancock.  It  was  situated  on 
Beacon  Street,  opposite  Boston  Common,  and  was  the 
finest  residence  in  the  town.  In  1863,  this  house,  built 
in  1737,  was  taken  down.  It  was  held  to  the  last  year 
by  the  family. 

Hancock  lived  in  luxurious  style.  He  was  noted  for 
his  hospitality,  and  kept  an  open  house  and  a  sumptuous 
table  for  his  friends.  La  Fayette,  on  his  first  visit  to 
this  country,  accepted  an  invitation  to  spend  some  time 
in  his  house.  The  Marquis  General  was  much  attached 
to  Mrs.  Hancock,  and,  on  his  second  visit  to  America, 
she  was  the  first  lady  on  whom  he  called.  Many  spoke 
of  the  interesting  interview  between  u  the  once  youthful 


118  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

chevalier  and  the  splendid  belle."  It  is  probable  that 
few  if  any.  in  his  day,  surpassed  Mr.  Hancock  in  his  style 
of  living.  His  equipage 'was  a  carriage  and  four  horses; 
his  coach  being  fitted  up  in  good  .taste,  with  brilliant 
plate-glass  and  handsome  ornaments,  suitable  both  for 
traveling  and  parade.  Thirteen  servants  and  a  goodly 
number  of  horses  were  attached  to  the  service  of  the 
Governor's  family.  His  wife  had  a  pretty  pony,  with 
a  light,  drab -colored  saddle-cloth,  highly  embroidered. 
Hancock  gave  every  Saturday  what  was  called  a  "  salt- 
fish  dinner;"  an  elaborate  affair,  duly  prized  in  those 
days.  Prince  Edward  of  England,  while  traveling  in 
this  country,  called  upon  Mrs.  Hancock,  and  made  him- 
self very  agreeable,  telling  her  that  he  was  said  to 
resemble  some  noted  personage,  and  asking  her  what 
she  thought  of  his  "  red  whiskers."  His  friends  regret- 
ted that  she  did  not,  as  it  was  Saturday,  give  him  an 
invitation  to  her  "  fish  dinner."  All  classes  were  enter- 
tained ;  the  veterans,  the  clergy,  the  gay,  the  gifted,  and 
those  who  had  no  superior  claims. 

Brissot  wrote  of  John  Hancock:  "He  shows  himself 
the  equal  and  the  friend  of  all.  I  supped  at  his  house 
with  a  hatter,  who  appeared  to  be  in  great  familiarity 
with  him.  Mr.  Hancock  is  amiable  and  polite  when  he 
wishes  to  be ;  but  they  say  he  does  not  always  choose  it. 
He  has  a  marvelous  gout,  which  dispenses  him  from  all 
attentions,  and  forbids  the  access  to  his  house."  Sulli- 
van, in  his  "  Letters  on  Public  Characters,"  expresses  his 
opinion  that  so  much  gout  was  caused  by  the  general 


MRS.   HANCOCK.  119 

practice  of  drinking  punch  in  the  mornings  as  well  as 
evenings.  The  tankard  was  prepared  early,  and  visitors, 
during  the  day,  were  invited  to  partake  of  it.  The 
usual  dinner-hour  was  one  or  two;  and  the  suppers  were 
abundant  in  good  things.  The  evening  amusements 
were  cards  and  dancing ;  concerts  were  attended,  thea- 
tres were  prohibited.  We  may  gather  some  idea  of  the 
manner  of  living  by  the  fact  that,  when  going  to  visit  a 
niece  of  his  wife  in  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  Han- 
cock traveled  with  a  coach  and  four,  two  outriders,  a 
postillion,  coachman,  and  footman, — the  servants. in  liv- 
ery,— besides  seven  horses.  At  the  end  of  the  first  day's 
journey  they  reached  Marblehead ;  arriving  at  Ports- 
mouth, sixty  miles  from  home,  on  the  second  day.  At 
another  time  they  were  a  fortnight  traveling  from  Boston 
to  Philadelphia,  in  similar  style.  Once,  when  journeying 
on  this  route,  Mrs.  Hancock  found,  after  stopping  over 
night  at  a  certain  place,  that  her  horses  were  so  jaded 
they  could  not  proceed  the  next  day.  On  inquiry,  it 
was  ascertained  that  they  had  been  taken  in  the  night 
and  used  on  a  pleasure  excursion  in  honor  of  St.  Pat- 
rick's day. 

Governor  Hancock  was  a  great  sufferer  from  the 
malady  aforementioned.  At  one  time,  when  he  returned 
from  public  business,  he  was  so  ill  that  he  was  taken 
from  his  carriage  in  the  arms  of  his  servants,  and  laid 
upon  the  sofa  till  the  tailor  who  had  made  the  new  suit 
of  clothes  he  had  on  could  cut  them  off,  so  that  he  could 
be  carried  with  less  pain  to  his  sleeping-room.  At" 


120  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

another  time,  when  suffering  in  a  similar  way,  he  went 
as  usual  to  the  State  House,  which  was  then  at  the 
head  of  State  Street,  to  attend  to  his  appointed  duties. 
Coming  out,  he  was  surrounded  by  an  admiring  multi- 
tude, who,  after  he  had  entered  the  carriage  in  which 
his  wife  had  come  to  meet  him,  began  to  remove  the 
four  horses,  with  the  design  of  drawing  him  themselves 
to  his  home  in  Beacon  Street.  Four  hundred  men  were 
already  forming  in  procession  with  this  intent.  The 
Governor  was  overcome  by  this  demonstration  of  public 
respect,  and  being  so  ill  he  could  not  speak  for  himself, 
he  requested  his  wife,  who  was  noted  for  her  personal 
beauty,  to  address  the  crowd  from  the  carriage  window, 
and  say  to  them  that  the  Governor  was  overwhelmed  by 
the  honor  they  desired  to  confer  upon  him  ;  that  he 
gratefully  acknowledged  the  kindness  of  feeling  that 
prompted  the  act ;  but  he  must  beg  them,  on  account  of 
his  present  weak  state,  to  permit  him  to  be  taken  by  his 
horses  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  his  home.  His  request 
was  granted. 

Mrs.  Hancock  often  related  the  circumstances  of  his 
severe  attack  of  gout  at  the  time  when  General  Wash- 
ington was  expected  to  make  his  first  appearance  in 
Boston.  The  General  had  accepted  an  invitation  to 
dine  that  day  with  the  Governor.  It  had  been  repre- 
sented to  Washington  that  etiquette  demanded  that  the 
Governor  should  be  at  the  entrance  of  the  town  to  wel- 
come him.  This  was  expected ;  and  when  the  General 
had  been  delayed  two  hours — waiting,  in  a  cold  wind, 


MRS.   HANCOCK.  121 

with  delicate  health — Hancock  not  appearing,  he  asked 
if  there  were  no  other  entrance  to  the  town  by  which  he 
could  speedily  reach  his  lodgings.  Being  answered  in 
the  negative,  he  ordered  the  cavalcade  to  move  on  at  a 
quick  pace,  proceeding  directly  to  the  place  of  his  abode. 
Meanwhile,  Governor  Hancock  was  patiently  keeping 
back  his  dinner,  in  continual  expectation  of  the  arrival 
of  the  distinguished  guest.  Soon  the  report  reached  the 
house,  and  was  whispered  about,  explaining  why  he  had 
not  come. 

The  next  day  the  Governor  ordered  his  carriage,  and, 
with  limbs  wrapped  in  red  baize,  he  was  placed  in  it,  in 
order  to  call  on  the  General.  When  he  arrived  at 
"Washington's  lodgings,  he  was  carried  in  the  arms  of 
his  servants  to  the  head  of  the  stairs,  and  thence  he 
crawled  on  his  hand  and  knees  into  the  presence  of  the 
Commander-in-Chief.  The  General,  seeing  him  in  this 
position,  was  moved  to  tears.  All  difficulties  being  soon 
removed,  kindness  and  cordiality  were  reciprocated. 

Mrs.  Washington  and  Mrs.  Hancock  were  friends. 
The  first  would  say  to  the  latter:  "There  is  a  great 
difference  in  our  situations.  Your  husband  is  in  the 
cabinet,  but  mine  is  on  the  battle-field."  Persons  of 
eminent  position  in  other  countries,  as  well  as  his  own, 
were  often  favored  guests  in  Governor  Hancock's  family. 
While  the  French  fleet  was  in  Boston  Harbor,  Count 
d'Estaing  and  some  other  persons  of  rank,  with  their 
life-guards,  visited  the  Governor.  Hancock  sent  a  note 
to  the  Admiral  of  the  fleet,  inviting  him  to  breakfast, 


122  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

with  thirty  of  his  officers.  The  Admiral  accepted  the 
invitation,  but  sent  a  request  to  the  Governor  to  permit 
him  the  pleasure  of  bringing  all  his  officers,  including  the 
midshipmen.  This  request  was  granted,  but  not  with- 
out some  solicitude  as  to  the  possibility  of  accommodating 
three  hundred  officers  and  providing  for  their  entertain- 
ment. In  those  days,  there  were  not  the  facilities  of 
confectioners,  and  other  resources  of  the  present  time. 
It  was  summer,  and  carts  and  wagons  were  pressed  into 
the  service  to  bring  from  the  surrounding  country  the 
various  fruits  of  the  season. 

It  was  found  that  milk  sufficient  for  the  demand 
could  not  be  obtained,  even  from  the  whole  vicinity  of 
Boston.  Boston  common  was  at  that  time  used  as  a 
place  of  pasturage  for  cows ;  and  Mrs.  Hancock,  in  liei 
dilemma,  requested  the  life-guards  and  the  servanta  of 
her  family  to  take  pitchers,  mugs,  and  bowls,  and  to 
milk  all  the  cows  on  the  common.  If  any  persons 
interfered,  they  were  to  be  sent  to  her  for  explanation. 
This  novel  proceeding  made  a  laughable  exhibition  to 
the  public,  but  it  was  a  success,  and  offended  no  one. 

Eleven  o'clock  was  the  hour  for  breakfast.  At  the 
appointed  time,  the  officers  were  seen  entering  the  far- 
thest end  of  the  Common,  in  front  of  the  Governor's 
house.  Mrs.  Hancock  often  in  after  life  described  that 
scene ;  and,  though  naturally  very  calm  and  tranquil  in 
manner,  when  speaking  of  that  day  she  always  showed 
great  animation,  seeming  to  feel  again  the  fire  and 
excitement  of  the  scene.  She  said  the  sun  shone 


MRS.   HANCOCK.  123 

brightly  on  the  gold  lace  that  elaborately  adorned  the 
French  officers ;  and,  in  their  march  to  the  house,  the 
brilliant  display  exceeded  any  thing  she  ever  saw  before 
or  afterwards  of  military  parade.  The  Admiral  soon 
after  returned  the  compliment  by  giving  a  grand  dinner 
on  board  his  ship  to  the  Governor  and  his  wife.  Mrs. 
Hancock  occupied  the  seat  of  honor,  and  at  her  right 
hand  was  a  large  rosette  of  ribbon,  attached  by  a  strong 
rope  to  something  under  the  table.  This  mysterious 
apparatus  caused  her  no  small  curiosity.  At  the  moment 
when  the  toasts  were  to  be  given,  the  Admiral's  aid, 
who  sat  next  her,  requested  that  she  would  draw  up  the 
ribbons.  She  obeyed,  and  in  doing  so  she  fired  the 
signal  gun,  which  in  an  instant  was  answered  by  every 
vessel  in  the  fleet.  This  was  a  distinguished  honor  paid 
her,  in  return  for  the  attention  shown  to  the  Admiral 
and  his  officers. 

At  the  annual  commencement  of  Harvard  College, 
it  was  the  custom  for  the  Governor  and  the  "  Boston 
Cadets"  (his  escort)  to  be  present  at  the  college  exer- 
cises. It  was  Mr.  Hancock's  pleasure  that  this  military 
company  should  take  their  breakfast  with  him  that 
morning  ;  and  as  the  services  at  Cambridge  commenced 
at  nine,  a'  very  early  breakfast  had  to  be  given,  in  order 
that  all  might  be  in  readiness  for  their  place  and  duties 
at  the  appointed  time.  The  Governor  would  have  this 
plan  carried  out  for  several  years,  in  spite  of  the  great 
inconvenience  it  caused  to  his  wife.  She  was  compelled, 
in  order  to  be  present  at  the  breakfast  table,  to  summon 


124:  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

her  hairdresser  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  ;  and  the 
day  was  always  one  of  extreme  fatigue  to  her. 

Many  of  the  colored  people  were  in  the  habit  of 
marching  in  procession  annually,  on  a  certain  day,  be- 
fore the  Governor's  house.  When  they  stopped  in  front 
of  it,  he  would  address  them  from  the  balcony.  In  the 
Bunimer  he  was  in  the  habit  of  riding  through  the  coun- 
try. If  he  came  to  an  unfinished  church,  he  would 
inquire  why  it  was  left  so,  and,  if  money  was  needed  to 
complete  the  building,  he  w^ould  encourage  the  people  to 
proceed,  saying :  "  I  will  pay  for  the  glazing  if  you  will  go 
to  work  and  have  it  finished."  This  he  did  many  times. 

He  kept  the  yearly  fast  in  spring  oafish,  but  for  his 
dinner  had  always  the  first  salmon  of  the  season,  for 
which  he  paid  a  guinea.  He  had  a  fine  dinner-set  of 
pewter  ordered  from  England.  It  was  the  duty  of  his 
household  to  see  that  this  pewter  was  kept  at  the  highest 
point  of  brightness,  and  used  every  day,  to  the  exclusion 
of  the  valuable  India  china  set,  also  owned  by  him.  He 
preferred  to  use  the  pewter,  because,  as  he  said,  the  con- 
tents of  the  plates  and  dishes  were  not  so  apt  to  slide 
off;  also,  that  the  use  of  them  caused  no  clatter  in  con- 
tact with  knives  and  forks.  He  had  a  large  quantity  of 
silver,  much  of  it  bearing  the  tower-stamp  of  England. 
He  had  four  dozen  silver  forks  matched  with  the  same 
number  of  silver  spoons ;  also  several  silver  tankards  of 
different  sizes.  One,  holding  a  gallon  or  more,  he  devo- 
ted exclusively  to  hot  punch ;  this  he  called  "  Solomon 
Townsend,"  in  honor  of  a  friend.  He  had  also  a  large 


MRS.   HAXCOCK.  125 

silver  porter-cup,  holding  two  quarts  or  more,  with  two 
massive  handles ;  intended,  probably,  to  be  passed  from 
guest  to  guest,  that  each  might  quaff  in  turn  from  the 
same  cup.  Much  of  the  silver  not  only  bore  the  "  tower- 
stamp,"  but  had  also  his  own  coat  of  arms  engraved  on 
it.  I  remember  a  silver  wash-bowl,  silver  salvers,  aspar- 
agus-tongs, four  heavy  silver  chafing-dishes,  four  silver 
butter-boats,  with  various  other  articles ;  also  six  heavy 
silver  candlesticks,  and  a  silver  snuffers  and  snuff-dish. 
The  last  is  in  my  possession.  It  has  the  Hancock  arms 
engraved  on  it. 

The  Governor  had  a  passion  for  the  portraits  of  his 
distinguished  guests,  which  were  painted  to  his  order  for 
his  hall  of  paintings.  Hancock  ordered  from  England  a 
whole  piece  of  crimson  silk  velvet  of  richest  quality, 
from  which  he  had  a  coat  and  vest  made.  His  wife 
refused  a  dress  off  the  piece,  as  too  heavy  for  her  light 
figure.  The  Governor  wore  diamonds  on  great  occa- 
sions. A  silver  dollar— -engraved  on  one  side  with  the 
united  arms  of  Mrs.  Hancock's  parents,  on  the  other 
with  her  maiden  name  and  the  date  1764 — the  coin 
bearing  the  date  1689,  and  the  stamp  of  James  II., — is  a 
prized  relic  in  the  family,  with  a  tortoise-shell  whisker- 
comb,  imported  from  England,  belonging  to  Hancock's 
dressing-case.  Mrs.  Hancock's  wedding-fan  was  from 
Paris,  and  made  of  white  kid,  painted  with  appropriate 
designs.  "Fan -mounting"  was  then  done  in  this  coun- 
try by  ladies  of  respectable  families.  One  who  was  Mrs. 
Hancock's  fan-mounter,  and  others  who  were  her  dress- 


126  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

maker  and  hairdresser,  have  their  descendants  among 
the  leaders  of  Boston  society  at  the  present  day.  The 
city  was  searched  at  that  time  in  vain  for  gold  or  silver 
bells  with  coral  for  "  the  baby,"  though  a  rattle  of  the 
description  was  found.  The  christening  suit,  from  Eng- 
land, was  of  embroidered  India  muslin,  with  stomacher 
and  trimming  of  thread  lace.  Mrs.  Hancock  sent  at  the 
same  time  for  a  hat  of  lavender-colored  silk  trimmed 
with  flowers,  and  a  mantilla  of  muslin  lined  with  laven- 
der silk.  She  gave  six  dollars  a  yard  for  a  piece  of  mus- 
lin, in  India,  before  it  was  cut  from  the  loom.  One  of 
the  breakfast-cloths  used  at  the  great  breakfast  given  to 
the  French  fleet,  was  lately  exhibited  at  a  party  given 
by  Mrs.  Cutts,  in  Boston,  a  great-niece  of  Mrs.  Hancock, 
who  presented  her  with  the  cloth.  It  had  been  used 
once  since  the  breakfast;  at  a  dinner  given  by  Mrs. 
Cutts  to  Daniel  Webster.  Another  relic  was  a  silver 
cake-basket,  given  by  Mrs.  Hancock,  with  the  request 
that  it  should  make  its  appearance  at  the  wedding  re- 
ceptions of  her  nieces  and  nephews.  Six  heavy  silver 
candlesticks,  a  large  salver,  chop  ping -dish,  and  other 
articles  of  plate,  bearing  the  Hancock  coat  of  arms,  be- 
long to  her  great-nephews,  Clapp,  in  Portland,  Maine. 

Hancock  had  an  epicurean  taste,  and  all  the  delica- 
cies of  the  season  might  be  found  upon  his  table.  After 
his  death  his  wife  kept  up  his  custom  in  these  matters. 
Once  she  said :  "  The  Governor's  hobby  was  his  dinner- 
table,  and  I  suppose  it  is  mine."  From  early  morning 
till  eleven  at  night,  her  house  was  open  for  the  reception 


MRS.   HANCOCK.  127 

of  friends  and  strangers,  as  it  had  been  while  her  hus- 
baiid  was  living.  She  was  for  years  one  of  the  "  won- 
ders of  the  age ;"  and,  as  the  widow  of  Governor  Han- 
cock, she  was  visited  till  the  close  of  her  life  by  distin- 
guished persons  from  foreign  countries  as  well  as  her 
own.  So  long  had  she  studied  the  tastes  of  her  husband, 
that  she  excelled  in  the  preparation  of  rich  and  delicate 
viands.  With  recollections  of  Hancock  House  are  asso- 
ciated renison  dinners  and  mince  pies,  which  vanished 
when  that  house  was  taken  down,  and  cannot  now  be 
had  in  the  same  state  of  perfection  as-  in  those  palmy 
days. 

Governor  Hancock  was  the  son  of  a  clergyman,  but 
adopted  by  his  uncle,  who  left  him  a  very  large  fortune 
for  the  period  in  which  he  lived.  At  twenty-one  he 
went  to  England,  was  presented  at  Court,  and  kissed  the 
hand  of  King  George.  He  was  a  man  of  warm  sympa- 
thies as  well  as  strong  will.  His  manners  were  gracious, 
in  the  old  style  of  dignified  complaisance.  One  morn- 
ing, going  to  town  in  his  phaeton,  at  an  early  hour,  he 
saw  a  poor  woman,  with  a  large  bundle,  trudging  along 
the  road.  He  ordered  the  horses  stopped,  and  asked 
where  the  woman  was  going.  Being  informed  she  was 
a  washerwoman,  on  her  way  to  the  town,  he  had  her  and 
her  bundle  placed  in  the  open  carriage,  and  took  her  to 
her  stopping-place.  Such  acts  made  him  king  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people.  His  temper,  indeed,  was  some- 
times so  violent  as  to  lead  some  to  question  his  benevo- 
lence ;  for  when  suffering  from  a  fit  of  the  gout  he 


128  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

would  almost  outrage  common  sense.  An  instance  illus 
trative  may  also  serve  to  show  what  strict  obedience  he 
required  of  his  servants.  Shut  up  in  his  sick-room,  he 
could  not  always  be  sure  that  his  orders  were  carried 
out  to  his  full  requisition.  He  had  repeatedly  forbidden 
the  use  of  the  china  table-service,  directing  that  the 
pewter  should  at  all  times  be  used.  The  unreasonable- 
ness of  this  direction  consisted  in  the  difficulty  of  keep- 
ing a  pewter  set  in  constant  fitness  for  use.  On  one 
•occasion  he  called  Cato,  his  favorite  colored  servant,  to 
his  room,  and  asked  if  the  china  set  had  been  used  that 
day.  Being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  he  said:  "I 
thought  so.  Now  go  down  stairs  and  bring  up  a  pile  of 
china  dishes."  The  servant  soon  returned  with  the 
dishes  in  his  hands.  The  Governor  said,  "Now,  open 
the  window  and  throw  them  out."  Cato  did  as  he  was 
told  ;  but  took  good  care  to  open  a  window  over  a  bank 
of  soft  turf,  and  to  give  them  a  gentle  slide  as  he  let 
them  drop,  so  that  none  of  them  were  injured.  The 
Governor  said,  "  I  don't  hear  them  break !  Go  down, 
Cato,  and  bring  them  up  again."  The  dishes  were  a 
second  time  produced.  "  Now,"  said  he,  "  open  the 
window  over  the  paved  coachyard,  and  throw  them 
out."  This  order  being  obeyed,  the  dishes  were  de- 
stroyed. 

Sullivan  describes  Hancock,  in  June,  1T82,  as  wear- 
ing "  a  red  velvet  cap,  within  which  was  one  of  fine 
linen ;  the  last  turned  up  two  or  three  inches  over  the 
lower  edge  of  the  velvet.  He  wore  a  blue  damask  gown 


MRS.   HANCOCK.  129 

lined  with  velvet,  a  white  stock,  a  white  satin  embroi- 
dered waistcoat,,  black  satin  small-clothes,  white  silk 
stockings,  and  red  morocco  slippers."  At  this  visit  the 
Governor  took  from  the  cooler  on  the  hearth  a  fall 
tankard  of  punch,  drank  first  himself,  then  offered  it  to 
those  present. 

Governor  Hancock  was  one  day  driving  out  with  his 
wife,  when  they  met  Samuel  Adams  walking  with  the 
sheriff  beside  him.  Hancock  asked,  "  What  is  the  mean- 
ing of  this?"  Adams  replied,  "I  am  going  to  jail,  as  I 
cannot  satisfy  the  sheriff's  demands."  The  Governor 
said  he  would  see  to  that  and  settle  the  demand,  and 
bade  the  sheriff  leave  his  prisoner.  Many  times  was  his 
purse  opened  for  Mr.  Adams's  benefit,  under  similar 
circumstances. 

The  Governor  had  a  very  large  marquee  made, 
which  he  wished  to  see  displayed  for  once  at  least  on 
the  ground  occupied  by  the  present  State  House.  His 
wish,  however,  could  not  be  gratified.  The  time  for  its 
erection  was  to  be  on  the  day  of  the  annual  general 
review  of  all  the  military  companies,  in  October.  He 
requested  his  wife  to  have  a  collation  provided  on  that 
occasion  for  all  the  officers.  He  was  at  that  time  pros- 
trated with  his  last  fatal  attack  of  the  gout.  He  did 
not  appear  to  comprehend  that  he  was  so  near  the  close 
of  his  earthly  career.  Mrs.  Hancock  was  informed  by 
the  physician  that  his  death  might  occur  at  any  hour. 
She  could  not,  therefore,  make  the  necessary  prepara- 
tions for  such  a  public  display.  At  her  refusal  to  com- 

6* 


130  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

ply  with  this  long-cherished  wish  of  his  heart,  her  hus- 
band was  much  displeased,  and  she  often  said  she  could 
not  feel  satisfied  that  she  had  his  full  forgiveness  for  not 
carrying  out  his  plans  on  that  occasion.  He  became 
increasingly  ill,  and  at  ten  o'clock  on  that  very  day  it 
was  announced  that  he  was  dying.  The  companies 
tvere  ordered  to  leave  the  Common;  and  hushed  were 
tiie  drum  and  fife,  with  all  their  military  inspiration, 
nrhile  the  Commander -in -Chief  of  the  State  was  pass- 
ing into  the  immediate  presence  of  the  Great  Judge  of 
all  men.  This  was  in  October,  1793. 

Governor  Hancock  left  orders  that  he  should  be 
buried  without  public  honors,  and  forbade  the  firing  of 
a  gun  over  his  grave.  The  State  government  chose  to 
have  the  management  of  the  whole  affair,  and  told  Mrs. 
Hancock  that  the  funeral  and  its  expenses  belonged  to 
the  State.  She  submitted  reluctantly  to  the  arrange- 
ment; but  she  finally  had  to  pay  the  bill  of  the  obse- 
quies, which  amounted  to  eighteen  hundred  dollars.  A 
will,  unsigned,  was  found  after  his  death,  in  which  he 
gave  the  bulk  of  his  property  to  the  State. 

Mrs.  Hancock  was  acknowledged  to  possess  superb 
beauty.  She  was  also  thoroughly  high-bred,  had  a 
courtly  manner,  and  a  high-toned  spirit  that  showed 
itself  in  her  conversation.  -She  was  always  dressed  with 
care,  and  a  dignified  propriety,  rather  than  a  wish  to 
display,  was  evident.  She  was  heard  to  say  she  would 
never  forgive  a  young  girl  who  did  not  dress  to  please, 
nor  one  who  seemed  pleased  with  her  dress.  She  died 


MRS.    GREENE.  131 

February,  1830,  in  her   eighty-second  year,  going  but 
little  into  society  for  some  time  previous. 

Besides  the  Quincy  family,  the  most  distinguished  in 
Boston  society  were  those  of  Otis,  Winthrop,  Apthorp, 
Ainory,  Emery,  &c.  The  Bradfords — of  whom  Alden 
Bradford  was  for  many  years  Secretary  of  State  in  Mas- 
sachusetts— belonged  to  the  same  class. 


A  lady  noted  in  society  in  New  England  was  Cathe- 
rine, the  daughter  of  John  Littlefield,  born  on  Block 
Island,  in  1753.  Her  girlhood  was  chiefly  passed  in  the 
house  of  Governor  Greene,  a  few  miles  from  Providence, 
commanding  a  view  of  Narraganset  Bay.  Mrs.  Greene 
was  her  aunt.  Catherine  was  a  belle — gay,  joyous,  and 
full  of  frolicsome  humor ;  her  form  was  light  and  grace- 
ful, and  she  possessed  extraordinary  quickness  of  appre- 
hension and  activity  of  mind.  Her  conversation  was 
enriched  with  knowledge  gained,  almost  by  intuition, 
from  every  source.  She  had  a  lively  imagination  and 
great  fluency  of  speech,  with  a  ready  tact  that  gave  her 
irresistible  fascination.  This  bright,  volatile,  coquettish 
young  creature  took  captive  the  heart  of  her  kinsman, 
Nathaniel  Greene,  and  lost  her  own  in  return.  They 
were  married  in  1774.  Little  did  the  bride  dream  that 
her  husband's  broad-brimmed  hat  covered  brows  which 
would  one  day  be  wreathed  with  living  laurels  won  by 
genius  and  patriotism.  When  General  Greene  took  his 
part  in  the  great  drama  of  the  Kevolution,  his  wife  gave 


132  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY". 

him  aid  and  encouragement.  The  papers  of  the  day 
notice  her  presence  at  head-quarters ;  but  her  home  was 
at  Coventry,  a  Rhode  Island  village, — a  princely  man- 
sion, on  the  banks  of  one  of  those  small  streams  that 
form  so  beautiful  a  feature  in  Rhode  Island  scenery. 
She  gave  up  this  house  for  hospital  uses  when  the  army 
before  Boston  was  inoculated  for  the  small-pox. 

General  Greene's  letters  show  how  much  he  prized, 
the  society  of  his  wife.  While  in  winter  quarters  with 
him,  she  was  very  intimate  with  Mrs.  Washington.  Fol- 
lowing her  husband  south,  they  established  their  home 
at  Mulberry  Grove,  a  plantation  presented  to  Greene  by 
the  S'tate  of  Georgia.  Her  lively  letters  give  a  picture 
of  the  times.  After  the  General's  death  she  removed  to 
Cumberland  Island,  where  she  lived  much  in  society, 
exercising  extensive  hospitality.  It  was  Mrs.  Greene 
who  introduced  to-  the  world  the  invention  of  the  cotton- 
gin,  by  her  patronage  of  Eli  Whitney. 

The  incident  of  her  quitting  her  own  house  when 
Aaron  Burr  claimed  her  hospitality,  after  his  duel  with 
Hamilton,  leaving  the  house  for  his  use,  and  only  return 
ing  to  it  after  his  departure,  illustrates  her  generous  and 
impulsive  character.  In  her  later  years  she  retained 
her  singular  power  of  fascination,  and  would  hold  a 
company  in  breathless  attention  with  her  winning  tones 
and  brilliant  sketches  of  character  or  tales  of  adventure. 
She  had,  in  truth,  a  faculty  of  charming  all  who  ap- 
proached her. 

Mary  Wooster  .was  the  widow  of  General  David 


COUNTESS  EUMFOED.  133 

Wooster,  killed  in  Connecticut  in  the  war  of  the  Revo- 
lution. She  was  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Clapp,  at  one  time 
President  of  Yale  College,  and  was  married  at  sixteen 
years  of  age.  Gifted  with  beauty  and  noble  intellectual 
powers,  well  educated,  and  with  a  mind  stored  witli  a 
great  variety  of  knowledge,  she  was  very  prominent  in 
society  and  much  sought  by  admiring  friends.  In  con- 
versation she  was  uncommonly  brilliant.  Her  piety  was 
exemplary,  from  youth  to  advanced  years;  and  when 
she  was  bereaved  of  husband  and  children,  and  lost  her 
fortune,  she  found  in  religion  a  consolation  trials  could 
not  impair. 

Sarah  Thompson — the  Countess  Rumford — who  died 
at  Concord,  New  Hampshire,  in  December,  1852,  is 
mentioned  by  Curwen  as  a  woman  who  exercised  much 
social  influence.  She  was  the  grand-daughter  of  Rev. 
Timothy  Walker,  the  first  clergyman  in  Concord,  and 
the  only  daughter  of  Benjamin  Thompson— born  in 
1774.  Her  father  left  the  United  States  suspected  of 
loyalism,  and  entered  into  the  employ  of  the  Elector  of 
Bavaria  at  Munich,  where  he  received  the  title  of  Count 
of  the  Holy  Roman  Empire,  with  a  pension  for  life  of 
nearly  two  thousand  dollars  a  year.  To  this  title  he 
added  Rumford,  the  name  of  his  residence  at  Concord. 
His  daughter  joined  him  in  London,  in  1796,  and  shared 
his  home  and  fortune  till  his  death  in  France,  in  1814. 
She  was  in  Munich  when  it  was  about  to  be  bombarded 
by  the  Austrians;  but  her  father,  being  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  Bavarian  forces,  succeeded  in  preventing  it. 


134  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

He  was  held  in  much  honor  among  the  savans  of 
Europe;  and  the  daughter  was  received  with  caressing 
attentions  among  the  most  select  circles  in  Paris.  When 
left  an  orphan,  she  inherited  the  title  as  well  as  the 
estates  of  her  father.  She  went  to  England  and  settled 
on  an  estate  at  Brompton  belonging  to  her,  receiving 
the  most  marked'  attentions  from  many  eminent  persons 
among  the  literati.  In  1845  she  returned  to  her  native 
State.  She  never  married,  but  passed  the  remainder  of 
her  life  in  a  quiet  circle  of  society,  aloof  from  the  stir  of 
city  life,  with  an  adopted  daughter  for  her  companion. 
The  grounds  around  her  residence  were  tastefully  orna- 
mented with  trees  and  shrubbery.  She  had  considerable 
property,  saved  from  her  father's  estates,  with  a  pension 
of  nearly  a  thousand  dollars  a  year  from  the  Bavarian 
government  for  the  services  rendered  by  her  father. 
This  she  bestowed  chiefly  in  charity,  and,  dying  at 
seventy-eight,  left  fifteen  thousand  dollars  for  an  asylum 
at  Concord  for  widows  and  female  orphans. 


PHILADELPHIA  SOCIETY.  135 


V. 


THE  society  of  Philadelphia,  about  the  middle  of  the 
last  century,  appears  to  have  been  divided  into  two 
classes  of  families ;  the  first,  some  of  whom  had  come 
with  Penn,  adhering  to  the  Quaker  tenets,  or  bound  by 
hereditary  custom,  if  not  religious  faith,  to  deny  the 
world  and  abjure  the  pageants  of  life.  Such  were  the 
Morrises,  the  Logans,  the  Shippens,  the  Lloyds,  the 
Pembertons,  the  Rivingtons,  and  many  other  families  of 
antiquity  in  their  sect.  At  a  later  period  came  in  an- 
other class,  chiefly  from  England;  they  had  cultivated 
the  liberal  accomplishments ;  among  them  were  men  of 
extensive  learning,  both  merchants  and  professional  men ; 
and  they  were  noted  for  a  high  degree  of  social  refine 
ment.  Such  were  the  Hamiltons,  the  Ashetons,  the 
Lawrences,  the  Chews,  the  Conynghams,  the  Aliens,  the 
Inglises,  the  Bonds,  the  Plumsteds,  and  others.  This 
class  was  strengthened,  as  wealth  and  civilization  spread, 
by  the  return  of  proprietary  descendants  to  the  Estab- 
lished Church.  Then  was  added  the  element  of  patriot- 
ism, in  Revolutionary  times,  forming  another  distinct 
class,  of  such  as  Bradford,  Biddle,  Butler,  Reed,  Boudi- 
not,  Hifflin,  McKean,  &c.,  comprising  many  of  the  pre- 


.136  QUEENS  OP  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

ceding,  and  drawing  to  themselves,  by  their  own  actions, 
public  consideration  and  respect. 

The  family  of  Willing  was  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent among  the  English  families  of  the  second  class 
above  mentioned.  Their  social  connections  were  exten- 
sive and  powerful ;  and  on  this  account,  with  the  weight 
of  personal  influence  and  high  character,  they  enjoyed 
an  enviable  distinction.  The  name  originated  in  Ger- 
many, but  obtained  no  eminence  till  it  was  borne  by 
residents  of  Philadelphia.  The  first  known  of  the  family 
was  Joseph  Willing,  of  Gloucestershire,  who  married 
Ava  Lowre,  an  heiress.  His  son  Thomas  married  Anne 
Harrison,  and  brought  his  son  Charles  to  America  in 
1728.  Charles  entered  into  commercial  life,  and  became 
the  founder  of  the  family  in  this  country.  His  house 
stood  in  Third  Street,  its  grounds  occupying  an  entire 
square,  and  shaded  by  primeval  oaks.  His  wife  was 
Anne  Shippen,  grand- daughter  of  Edward  Shippen,  the 
first  mayor  of  Philadelphia,  and  their  son  was  Thomas 
Willing,  born  in  1731. 

The  women  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
century,  were  distinguished  for  their  attractions.  The 
Duke  de  Lauzun  speaks  enthusiastically  of  their  grace, 
beauty,  and  intelligence;  and  the  gay  Marquis  de  Chas- 
tellux  is  warm  in  his  admiration  of  the  ladies  who  gave 
life  to  society  after  the  close  of  the  war.  Philadelphia 
became  the  centre  of  fashionable  gayety,  as  she  had  been 
the  heart  of  the  nation ;  and  it  was  found  that  the  rava- 
ges of  war  had  swept  away  none  of  the  elegance  and 


MRS.   BINGHAM.  137 

refinement,  or  the  social  spirit,  by  which  her  coteries 
had  been  distinguished.  One  lady,  pre-eminent  by  uni- 
versal acknowledgment,  who  exercised  indisputable  sway 
over  the  manners/  and  pleasures  of  the  metropolis,  and 
reigned  a  queen  to  whom  all  vowed  allegiance,  was 
Anne,  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Willing.  She  received 
in  the  home  of  her  father,  who  was  a  man  of  liberal 
education,  the  best  instruction  which  could  be  given, 
and  grew  up  a  maiden  of  wonderful  loveliness.  She 
passed  much  time  in  the  family  of  Washington.  At  the 
age  of  sixteen,  on  the  26th  of  October,  1780,  she  was 
married  to  William  Bingham,  by  Rev.  William  White, 
afterwards  the  first  Episcopal  bishop  in  Pennsylvania. 
Bingham  was  United  States  senator  from  Pennsylvania, 
and  owned  large  estates.  He  was  congratulated  from 
high  quarters  for  having  won  so  fair  a  bride ;  John  Jay 
wrote  from  Spain  to  felicitate  him  on  his  nuptials  "  with 
one  of  the  most  lovely  of  her  sex."  A  few  years  after 
the  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bingham  went  abroad,  and 
spent  some  time  in  France.  Mrs.  Bingham  was  pre- 
sented at  the  Court  of  Louis  XVI.,  and  attracted  much 
attention  among  the  nobles  and  aristocracy.  Miss 
Adams  wrote,  after  mentioning  a  dinner  at  which  she 
met  the  Binghams,  in  October,  1784,  "  Mrs.  Bingham 
gains  my  love  and  admiration  more  and  more  every 
time  I  see  her.  She  is  possessed  of  greater  ease  and 
politeness  in  her  behavior  than  any  person  I  have  met." 
At  a  dinner  at  La  Fayette's,  some  months  later,  she 
again  wrote :  "  Mrs.  Bingham  was,  as  ever,  engaging ; 


138  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

her  dress  was  of  black  velvet,  with  pink  satin  sleeves 
and  stomacher,  a  pink  satin  petticoat,  and  over  it  a 
skirt  of  white  crape  spotted  all  over  with  gray  fur ;  the 
sides  of  the  gown  open  in  front,  and  the  bottom  of  the' 
coat  trimmed  with  paste.  It  was  superb;  and  the 
gracefulness  of  the  person  made  it  appear  to  peculiar 
advantage."  Mrs.  Adams  wrote :  "  Mrs.  Bingham  has 
been  twice  to  see  me.  I  think  she  is  more  amiable  and 
beautiful  than  ever." 

After  spending  some  time  at  the  Hague,  Mrs.  Bing- 
ham accompanied  her  husband  to  England,  where  "  her 
elegance  and  beauty  attracted  more  admiration  than, 
perhaps,  was  willingly  expressed  in  the  old  Court  of 
George  the  Third."  The  reputation  of  American  women 
for  beauty  was  great ;  yet  Mrs.  Adams  wrote :  "  I  have 
not  seen  a  lady  in  England  who  can  bear  a  comparison 
with  Mrs.  Bingham." 

Miss  Adams  wrote  from  London,  February,  1786 : — 

"Mamma  went  to  court  to  present  Mrs.  Bingham,  and  papa 
presented  Mr.  Chew.  Mamma  says,  if  admiration  could  make  this 
lady  happy,  she  must  be  so;  for  she  never  saw  one  so  much  stared 
at.  'There  she  goes,' cries  one;  'what  an  elegant  woman!'  Some 
gentlemen  told  mamma  she  had  presented  the  finest  woman  they 
had  ever  seen.  I  suppose  she  is  not  free  from  vanity,  and  if  not, 
must  have  been  gratified." 

"  Lady  Talbot  is  not  a  Mrs.  Bingham,  who,  taken  altogether,  is 
the  finest  woman  I  ever  saw.  The  intelligence  of  her  countenance, 
or  rather,  I  ought  to  say,  its  animation,  the  elegance  of  her  form, 
and  the  affability  of  her  manners,  convert  you  into  admiration; 
and  one  has  only  to  lament  too  much  dissipation  and  frivolity  of 
amusements,  which  have  weaned  her  from  her  native  country,  and 
given  her  a  passion  and  thirst  after  all  the  luxuries  of  Europe." 


MES.    BINGHAM.  139 

Mrs.  Adams  afterwards  mentions  "  the  dazzling  Mrs. 
Bingham  and  her  beauteous  sisters"  in  Philadelphia. 
The  Adams  family  was  intimate  with  the  Binghams 
during  their  stay  in  London.  Miss  Adams  says  of  Mrs 
Bingham : — 

"She  is  coming  quite  into  fashion  here,  and  is  very  ranch 
admired.  The  hairdresser  who  dresses  us  on  court-days  inquired 
of  mamma  whether  she  knew  the  lady  so  much  talked  of  here 
from  America — Mrs.  Bingham.  He  had  heard  of  her  from  a  lady 
who  had  seen  her  at  Lord  Duncan's.  At  last,  speaking  of  Miss 
Hamilton,  he  said,  with  a  twirl  of  his,  comb,  '"Well,  it  does  not 
signify,  hut  the  American  ladies  do  beat  the  English  all  to 
nothing.'  " 

"  I  think,  from  the  observation  I  have  made  upon  those  ladiea 
from  Philadelphia  with  whom  I  have  been  acquainted,  that  they 
are  more  easy  in  their  manners,  and  discover  a  greater  desire  to 
render  themselves  acceptable,  than  the  women  of  Boston,  where 
education  appears  to  be  better — and  they  seem  to  be  sensible  of 
their  consequence  in  society.  I  have  seen  some  good  specimens  of 
their  brilliancy ;  first,  in  Mrs.  Bingham,  and  now  in  Mrs.  Stewart." 

During  her  stay  of  five  years  abroad,  Mrs.  Bingham 
found  everywhere  the  same  caressing  reception  in  the 
highest  circles.  Her  immense  wealth  enabled  her  to 
live  in  a  style  of  luxury  and  display,  without  which 
beauty,  elegance,  or  worth,  would  stand,  especially  in 
England,  little  chance  of  recognition.  Eeturning  to  her 
own  country,  she  seemed  resolved  to  show  that  she  had 
not  lost  the  wish  to  find  herself  at  home  there.  Mr. 
Bingham  had  studied  the  domestic  architecture  of  Lon- 
don and  Paris  to  advantage,  and  being  desirous  of  build- 
ing a  house  in  Philadelphia,  he  selected  as  a  model 
the  Duke  of  Manchester's  residence.  It  was,  indeed,  a 


140  QUEENS  OF  AMEEICAN  SOCIETY. 

home  where  taste,  wealth,  and  hospitality  might  appro- 
priately dwell;  a  palace  of  splendor;  known  as  "The 
Mansion  House,"  and  a  credit  to  the  city.  It  stood  in 
Third  Street  above  Spruce,  forty  feet  from  the  street, 
and  approached  by  a  circular  graveled  carriage-way, 
opened  by  gates  of  iron  tracery,  and  shut  in  by  a  low 
wall.  The  grounds  were  diversified  by  walks,  parterres, 
and  shade  trees,  and  were  adorned  by  statuary.  They 
covered  three  acres,  and  adjoined  the  houses  occupied  by 
Mrs.  Bingham's  father  and  two  of  her  aunts.  In  this 
princely  abode  Mrs.  Bingham,  who  had  been  distin- 
guished among  the  ladies  in  the  Presidential  court, 
became  the  centre  of  a  court  of  her  own.  In  her  neigh- 
borhood were  the  residences  of  numerous  family  connec- 
tions, of  commanding  social  influence.  The  southeast 
was  then  the  fashionable  part  of  the  town ;  and  when- 
ever Mrs.  Bingham  wished  to  have  a  large  yet  select 
party,  she  had  only  to  send  invitations  to  her  own  circle 
of  relatives  and  connections,  to  have  her  spacious  rooms 
filled  with  a  brilliant  assemblage.  The  house  had  a 
broad  stair-way  of  fine  marble,  the  pavement  of  tesselated 
marble ;  the  first  of  the  kind  known  in  America.  On 
the  left  hand  were  parlors ;  on  the  right,  the  study ;  and 
opposite  was  the  library,  separated  by  a  lateral  hall. 
The  drawing-room  and  card-rooms  were  on  the  floor 
above ;  the  windows  looking  on  an  extensive  conserva- 
tory adjoining  the  lower  parlors.  There  were  various 
and  extensive  domestic  offices  surrounding  the  dwelling. 
The  furniture  and  carpets  were  of  French  manufacture, 


MRS.   BINGHAAf.  141 

and  the  halls  were  hung  with  paintings  chiefly  selected 
in  Italy.* 

The  Binghams  had  a  country-seat — "  Landsdowne  " — 
on  the  west  bank  of  the  Schuylkill,  where  the  summers 
were  passed.  General  Washington  was  a  frequent 
visitor,  both  here  and  in  their  town'  house.  The  same 
elegant  variety,  richness,  and  excellent  taste  in  enter- 
tainment, marked  their  hospitality  in  both  places. 

One  of  the  customs  brought  from  Paris  by  Mrs. 
Bingham,  and  introduced  by  her  into  society  in  Phila- 
delphia, was  that  of  the  servants'  announcing  the  names 
of  guests,  on  their  arrival  at  a  party,  in  different  places, 
from  the  hall  to  the  drawing-room.  A  republican  gen- 
tleman who  was  a  stranger  to  the  innovation, — one  who 
was  afterwards  President  of  the  nation, — one  evening, 
hearing  his  name  called  out  repeatedly  while  he  stopped 
to  divest  himself  of  his  outer  garment,  cried  out, 
"Coming!"  "Coming!"  and  in  a  louder  tone,  as  he 
heard  his  name  at  the  drawing-room  door,  "  Coming ! 
as  soon  as  I  can  get  my  great-coat  off!" 

All  that  was  illustrious  in  statesmanship  or  brilliant 
in  society  was  now  congregated  in  Philadelphia.  It 
was  the  residence  of  the  diplomatic  representatives  of 
European  Courts  and  eminent  persons  from  every  quarter 
of  the  world.  Its  first  circles  were  composed  of  those 
who  would  have  ranked  highly  in  any  country,  and  who 
possessed  every  accomplishment  of  refined  culture.  The 

*See  "THE  REPUBLICAN  COUBT." 


142  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

external  luxury  and  splendor  of  the  society  were  in 
striking  contrast  to  the  unadorned  simplicity  which  had 
marked  the  sway  of  Mrs.  Washington.  Mrs.  Bingham 
"  led  the  ton "  in  this  brilliant  world,  and  was  unques- 
tionably at  the  head  of  American  society ;  not  only  by 
virtue  of  her  husband's  political  position  and  her  father's 
honorable  career  in  the  country's  service,  but  in  her  own 
personal  right.  Her  style  illustrated  all  that  was  im- 
posing and  superb  in  the  social  life;  and  her  acknow- 
ledged judgment  and  taste  in  dress  and  in  the  arrange- 
ments of  her  house,  her  influence  over  all  with  whom 
she  came  into  contact,  the  splendors  with  which  she  was 
ever  surrounded,  and  the  aristocratic  character  of  her 
parties,  gave  her  a  celebrity  which  became  historical  in 
the  annals  of  higher  social  life  in  America. 

Her  beauty  was  of  a  striking  and  dazzling  order ;  her 
figure  was  tall,  and  her  carriage  light,  airy,  and  the  per- 
fection of  grace.  Her  manners  had  resistless  fascina- 
tion— easy,  sprightly,  frank,  and  winning,  and  inspiring 
with  interest  all  who  conversed  with  her.  She  was 
indeed  a  most  gifted  and  favored  being,  ever  smiled 
upon  and  flattered,  courted  and  served  with  the  alacrity 
of  genuine  regard ;  happy  in  every  change  ;  awakening 
no  envy  or  jealousy,  in  spite  of  her  personal  and  social 
advantages;  never  the  object  of  unkind  feeling  or  ma- 
lignant aspersion  ;  giving  offense  to  none,  in  spite  of  her 
great  ambition  to  maintain  superiority ;  pleasing  all  by 
her  manner,  even  while  refusing  favors,  and,  while  really 
exclusive,  leaving  even  on  the  excluded  the  impression 


MRS.   BINGHAM.  143 

of  being  obliged.  This  singular  charm  of  tact  may 
account  for  the  great  traditionary  reputation  of  her 
personal  influence,  as  fresh  in  recollection  now,  and 
almost  as  much  wondered  at,  as  when  she  lived.  She 
gave  entertainments  often,  and  they  were  very  expensive 
and  elaborate,  while  marked  by  good  taste  and  elegance 
of  style.  She  had  a  happy  faculty  and  discretion  in 
selecting  and  grouping  her  guests,  so  as  to  harmonize 
the  circle  and  guard  against  disagreement.  Her  dress 
was  a  model  for  imitation,  such  was  its  exquisite  adapta- 
tion and  propriety,  and  its  subdued  tone  combined  with 
costliness. 

Thomas  Jefferson  was  one  of  Mrs.  Bingham's  ad- 
mirers. He  wrote  her  from  Paris,  describing  the  con- 
trast between  foreign  and  domestic  fashionable  life : — 

"At  eleven  o'clock,  it  is  day  chez  madame.  The  curtains  are 
drawn.  Propped  on  bolsters  and  pillows,  and  her  head  scratched 
into  a  little  order,  the  bulletins  of  the  sick  are  read  and  the  billets 
of  the  well.  She  writes  to  some  of  her  acquaintances,  and  receives 
the  visits  of  others.  If  the  morning  is  not  very  thronged,  she  is 
able  to  get  out  and  hobble  round  the  cage  of  the  Palais  Roy  ale ; 
but  she  must  hobble  quickly,  for  the  coiffeur's  turn  is  come,  and  a 
tremendous  turn  it  is.  Happy  if  he  does  not  make  her  arrive  when 
dinner  is  half  over.  The  turpitude  of  digestion  a  little  passed,  she 
flutters  half  an  hour  through  the  streets,  by  way  of  paying  visits, 
and  then  to  the  spectacles.  These  finished,  another  half  hour  is 
devoted  to  dodging  in  and  out  of  the  doors  of  her  very  sincere 
friends,  and  away  to  supper.  After  supper,  cards;  after  cards, 
bed ;  to  rise  at  noon  next  day,  and  to  tread  like  a  mill-horse  the 
same  trodden  circle  over  again.  Thus  the  days  of  life  are  con- 
sumed, one  by  one,  without  an  object  beyond  the  present  moment ; 
ever  flying  from  the  ennui  of  that,  yet  carrying  it  with  us."  —  u  In 
America,  on  the  other  hand,  the  society  of  your  husband,  the  fond 


144  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

cares  for  the  children,  the  arrangements  of  the  house,  the  improve- 
ments of  the  grounds,  fill  every  moment  with  a  healthy  and  useful 
activity.  Every  exertion  is  encouraging,  because  to  present  amuse- 
ment it  joins  the  promotion  of  some  future  good.  The  intervals  of 
leisure  are  filled  by  the  society  of  real  friends,  whose  affections  are 
not  thinned  to  cobweb  by  being  spread  over  a  thousand  objects." 

Chastellux  mentions  a  ball  at  Chevalier  de  la  Lu- 
zerne's,  at  which  "  the  Count  de  Damas  had  Mrs.  Bing- 
ham  for  his  partner,  and  the  Yiscount  de  Nouailles, 
Miss  Shippen.  Both  testified  respect  for  the  manners 
of  the  country  by  not  quitting  their  handsome  partners 
the  whole  evening." 

The  Yiscount  de  Nouai'lles,  brother-in-law  to  La 
Fayette,  in  the  summer  of  1795,  came  to  America  in 
company  with  Mr.  Bingham,  whose  guest  he  was, 
though  he  occupied  a  third-story  room  in  a  block  of 
buildings  at  the  extreme  west  end  of  Bingham's  garden. 
He  gave  a  dinner  to  D'Orleans  and  other  gentlemen  of 
rank,  using  Bingham's  plate  and  kitchen,  and  being 
waited  upon  by  his  servants.  The  same  story  was  told 
of  him  as  of  Louis  Philippe,  who  is  said  to  have  lived 
in  Philadelphia,  and  occupied  a  room  over  a  barber's 
shop,  where  he  once  gave  a  dinner,  apologizing  for 
seating  half  his  guests  on  one  side  of  a  bed ;  he  had  him- 
self "  occupied  less  comfortable  places  without  the  con- 
solation of  such  agreeable  company."  The  young  prince, 
at  that  time  twenty-three  years  old,  was  introduced  into 
Mr.  Bingham's  family,  and  is  said  to  have  proposed  for 
one  of  the  daughters,  but  the  Senator  declined  the 
alliance.  "Should  you  ever,"  he  said,  "be  restored  to 


MRS.   BINGHAM.  145 

your  hereditary  position,  you  will  be  too  great  a  match 
for  my  daughter;  if  not,  she  is  too  great  a  match  for 
you." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bingham  were  guests  at  the  dinner 
given  by  General  Washington,  when  he  bade  farewell  to 
the  President  elect  and  the  heads  of  the  departments. 
Among  the  other  guests  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Liston  and 
the  Marquis  and  Marchioness  d'Yrujo,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gushing,  Mr.  Adams,  Mr.  Hamilton,  Mr.  Jefferson, 
Bishop  White,  &c. 

The  first  masquerade  ball  in  Philadelphia  was  said 
to  have  been  given  at  Mr.  Bingham's.  Mrs.  Bingham 
did  not  appear  to  be  fond  of  theatricals,  like  Mrs.  Adams ; 
she  and  her  set  rarely  went  to  the  theater,  and  on  that 
account  Manager  Wignell  refused,  on  any  terms,  to  let 
her  a  private  box.  She  offered  to  furnish  and  decorate 
the  box  at  her  own  expense,  but  would  keep  the  key, 
allowing  no  one  to  enter  without  her  permission.  The 
manager  feared  to  offend  the  fierce  spirit  of  liberty  and 
equality  in  the  masses  by  such  a  concession. 

Sir  John  Oldmixon,  celebrated  in  England  as  "  the 
Bath  beau," — rivaling  Uash  or  Brummell, — was  then 
flourishing.  It  was  said  he  was  a  gardener  in  1796, 
and  carried  his  own  cabbages  to  market.  His  wife, 
formerly  Miss  George,  was  an  actress ;  sang  at  the 
theater,  and  returned  at  night  in  the  vehicle  which  car- 
ried the  vegetables.  Actors  then  "held  their  own"  in 
society,  and  a  grand-daughter  of  Franklin  is  said  to  have 
married  one — Mr.  Harwood. 

7 


146  QUEENS  OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

During  the  winter  of  1795-6,  when  Judge  Samuel 
.  Chase  was  in  Philadelphia,  a  curious  story  is  told  of  a 
great  dinner  given  to  him  by  Mr.  Bingham.  The  Judge 
was  placed  on  Mrs.  Bingham's  right  hand,  and  coolly 
adjusted  his  spectacles  to  view  the  superb  repast,  which, 
unfortunately  for  him,  had  been  prepared  by  a  French 
cook.  Having  searched  in  vain  for  a  familiar  dish,  he 
turned  to  the  lady,  and  remarked :  "  A  very  pretty  din- 
ner, Madam ;  but  there  is  not  a  thing  on  your  table  I 
can  eat."  With  her  habitual  presence  of  mind  and 
urbanity,  Mrs.  Bingham  inquired  if  she  could  procure 
any  thing  more  suitable  to  his  taste.  "  A  beefsteak,  or 
a  piece  of  roast  beef,  Madam,"  was  the  reply,  "will 
please  me  better  than  any  thing  else."  A  servant  was 
called  and  a  word  whispered  in  his  ear,  whereupon  he 
vanished.  Yery  soon  he  reappeared,  bearing  a  dish  of 
roast  beef,  which  Chase  attacked  with  vigor  and  appe- 
tite, washing  it  down  with  a  couple  of  bottles  of  brown 
stout,  in  lieu  of  French  wines.  Having  concluded  his 
labors,  he  turned  to  his  hostess,  and  with  a  satisfied  air 
exclaimed :  "  There,  Madam,  I  have  made  a  sensible 
and  excellent  dinner,  but  no  thanks  to  your  French 
cook." 

This  gifted  and  brilliant  woman  was  early  removed 
from  the  sphere  she  adorned.  Returning  from  a  party 
of  pleasure  soon  after  the  birth  of  her  only  son,  exposure 
to  cold  in  a  sleigh  brought  on  an  illness,  which  was  soon 
discovered  to  be  of  a  dangerous  character.  A  milder 
climate  was  recommended ;  and  a  vessel  was  fitted  up 


MES.    BINGHAM.  147 

with  care  to  convey  her  to  the  Bermudas.  On  her 
departure,  carried  on  a  palanquin  from  her  superb  man- 
sion to  this  vessel,  her  friends  gathered  around  her  to 
bid  farewell,  and  hundreds  thronged  to  see  her.  The 
hope  of  restoration  was  vain ;  after  months  of  gradual 
decline,  Mrs.  Bingham  died  in  the  Bermuda  Islands, 
May  llth,  1801,  in  the  thirty-seventh  year  of  her  age. 
Mr.  Bingham  went  to  England,  where  he  died  at  Bath 
three  years  later.  His  eldest  daughter,  Anne,  married 
Alexander  Baring,  afterwards  Lord  Ashburton.  Maria 
married  the  Count  de  Tilly;  afterwards  Henry  Baring, 
and  the  Marquis  de  Bluisel. 


In  the  winter  of  1795-6,  Eobert  Morris,  the  great 
financier,  was  in  the  splendor  of  his  prosperity.  He 
had  laid  the  foundation  of  a  palatial  residence  on  the 
south  side  of  Chestnut  Street,  just  above  Seventh,  in- 
tending to  have  the  building  occupy  the  whole  space. 
His  home  was  ever  the  abode  of  generous  and  cordial 
hospitality,,  and  was  rendered  delightful  by  his  simple 
and  affable  manners.  Mrs.  Adams  says,  in  Philadel- 
phia, "  I  should  spend  a  very  dissipated  winter  if  I 
were  to  accept  one-half  the  invitations  I  receive,  par- 
ticularly to  the  routs  and  tea  and  cards."  A  passion  for 
gambling  prevailed  at  the  time,  and  it  was  not  uncom- 
mon to  lose  three  or  four  hundred  dollars  at  a  sitting. 

Chastellux  thus  describes  a  dinner  in  the  then  Amer 
ican  fashion:  "There  are  two  courses,  one  comprehend 


148  QUEENS  OP  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

ing  the  entrees,  the  roast  meat  and  warm  side-dishes ; 
the  other,  sweet  pastry  and  confectionery.  The  cloth 
is  then  taken  off,  and  apples  and  nuts  are  produced; 
healths  are  drunk ;  and  coffee  is  the  signal  to  rise.  It 
is  an  absurd  and  barbarous  practice  to  call  out  to  each 
individual  that  you  drink  his  health !  it  causes  confusion. 
Also,  the  asking  to  take  wine  with  one ;  the  ridiculous 
custom  borrowed  from  England  and  laid  aside  by  her." 

At  the  balls  given  in  Philadelphia  Mrs.  Morris  was 
always  led  in  first  to  supper ;  the  visitor  remarks,  "  as 
the  richest  woman  in  the  city;  all  ranks  here  being 
equal,  and  men  following  their  natural  bent  by  giving 
the  preference  to  riches." 


DRESS  IN  PHILADELPHIA.  149 


VI. 


SOME  writers  of  the  day  comment  on  the  addiction 
of  American  women  to  extravagance  in  dress  at  this 
period.  Count  de  Rochambeau  observed,  at  the  close 
of  the  war,  that  "  the  wives  of  merchants  and  bankers 
were  clad  to  the  tip  of  the  French  fashions,  of  which 
they  were  remarkably  fond ;"  and  the  Due  de  Liancourt 
says :  "  Ribbons  please  young  Quakeresses  as  well  as 
others,  and  are  the  great  enemies  of  the  sect." 

The  women  in  1800  wore  hoops,  high-heeled  shoes 
of  black  stuff,  with  silk  or  thread  stockings,  and  had 
their  hair  tortured  four  hours  at  a  sitting  to  get  the  curls 
properly  crisped.  The  hoops  were  succeeded  by  "  bish- 
ops "  stuffed  with  horse-hair.  In  the  early  days,  ladies 
who  kept  their  coaches  often  went  to  church  in  check 
aprons;  and  Watson  mentions  a  lady  in  Philadelphia 
who  went  to  a  ball  in  full  dress,  on  horseback. 

Brissot  wrote:  "If  an  idle  man  could  come  into 
existence  in  Philadelphia,  on  having  constantly  before 
his  eyes  the  three  amiable  sisters — Wealth,  Science,  and 
Virtue,  the  children  of  Industry  and  Temperance- — he 
would  soon  find  himself  in  love  with  them,  and  endeavor 
to  obtain  them  from  their  parents."  The  Due  de  Lian- 
court observes :  "  The  Americans  have  an  excessive 


150  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

avidity  of  becoming  rich,"  and  thinks  it  a  mistake  to 
suppose  pure  republican  manners  prevalent.  Perhaps 
as  a  consequence  of  enervating  luxury,  the  Abbe  Robin 
remarks : '  "  At  twenty  the  American  women  have  no 
longer  the  freshness  of  youth;  at  thirty-five  or  forty 
they  are  wrinkled  and  decrepit.  The  men  are  almost 
as  premature."  And  Chevalier  Felix  de  Beaujour : 
"  The  beauty  of  American  women  fades  in  a  moment. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-five  the  form  changes ;  and  at 
thirty  all  the  charms  have  disappeared.  As  long  as 
they  are  unmarried  they  enjoy  great  liberty ;  but  as 
soon  as  they  have  entered  the  conjugal  state  they  bury 
themselves  in  the  bosom  of  their  families,  and  appear  no 
longer  to  live  but  for  their  husbands."  "  The  manners 
have  there  established  in  society  distinctions  more 
marked  than  anywhere  else;  distinctions  rendered  the 
more  odious  for  being  founded  on  riches,  without  any 
"regard  to  talents,  or  even  to  public  functions.  There 
the  rich  blockhead  is  more  considered  than  the  first 
magistrate ;  and  the  influence  of  gold  is  counterbalanced 
by  no  illusion  or  reality." 

Towards  the  close  of  the  century,  it  was  noticed  that 
the  forms  of  society  underwent  some  change,  as  the 
leveling  process  of  France  began  to  be  felt.  Powder 
became  unfashionable ;  a  looser  dress  was  adopted  for 
the  legs ;  the  fashion  of  wearing  the  hair  tied  gave  place 
to  short  locks.  Dark  or  black  cloth  was  substituted  for 
colored  coats,  and  buckles  disappeared.  But  the  style 
:f  living  was  not  less  expensive.  Parties  were  more 


ENTERTAINMENTS.  151 

crowded,  and  more  form  and  display  were  seen,  with 
less  freedom  of  sociability  than  ever. 

The  Wistar  parties,  for  gentlemen,  were  commenced 
by  Dr.  Caspar  Wistar,  in  1799.  He  was  accustomed  to 
call  the  members  of  the  Philosophical  Society  once  a 
week  to  his  house  during  the  winter.  The  parties  were 
continued  till  his  death,  in  1818,  and  were  kept  up  by 
members  afterwards  at  their  several  houses. 

The  fete  of  the  Mischianza  had  been  the  most  cele- 
brated that  ever  took  place  in  Philadelphia.  It  was 
given  by  the  British  officers  to  Sir  William  Howe,  just 
before  he  relinquished  the  command  to.  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton, May  18,  1778.  It  commenced  with  a  grand  regatta, 
followed  by  a  tilt  and  tournament,  wherein  the  knights 
of  the  Burning  Mountain  and  the  Blended  Eose  vindi- 
cated the  charms  of  the  ladies  in  whose  honor  they 
appeared ;  a  ball  and  fireworks  closing  the  evening.* 

The  next  entertainment  in  order  of  pre-eminence 
was  given  on  the  birthday  of  the  Dauphin,  by  the  French 
Minister,  after  the  close  of  the  war.  Weeks  of  prepara- 
tion preceded  it,  and  hundreds  came  to  see  the  building 
erected  for  dancing,  fronting  sixty  feet,  the  roof  sup- 
ported by  lofty  pillars,  painted  and  festooned.  There 
were  banners  and  pictures  for  internal  decorations ;  and 
a  garden  surrounded  the  building,  with  walks,  seats, 
groves,  and  fountains.  Nothing  else  was  talked  of  in 
the  city  for  ten  days.  At  an  early  hour  a  corps  of 

*  For  the  particulars  of  this  fete,  see  "  Women  of  the  American  Rev- 
olution." 


152  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

hairdressers  took  possession  of  the  room  assigned  to  the 
city  watchmen.  Some  ladies  had  their  hair  dressed 
between  four  and  six  in  the  morning.  The  company 
assembled  at  seven  in  the  evening,  ten  thousand  specta- 
tors thronging  the  streets. 

"At  eight  o'clock,"  says  Dr.  Rush,  "our  family  entered  the 
apartment,  received  through  a  wide  gate  by  the  Minister,  and  con- 
ducted by  one  of  his  family  to  the  dancing-room.  The  numerous 
lights  distributed  through  the  garden,  the  splendor  of  the  room, 
the  size  of  the  company,  which  already  consisted  of  about  seven 
hundred  persons,  the  brilliancy  and  variety  of  their  dresses,  and 
the  band  of  music,  had,  together,  an  effect  which  resembled  en- 
chantment. Here  were  to  be  seen  heroes,  patriots,  and  members 
of  Congress,  in  close  conversation  with  each  other;  Washington 
and  Dickinson  held  several  dialogues  together;  Rutledge  and  Wal- 
ton from  the  South,  here  conversed  with  Lincoln  and  Duane  from 
the  East  and  the  North ;  and  Mifflin  and  Keed  accosted  each  other 
with  all  the  kindness  of  ancient  friends.  The  dancing  commenced 
at  half- past  eight;  at  nine,  fire-works  were  exhibited;  at  twelve, 
supper  was  served  in  three  large  tents  in  the  grounds;  before  three 
the  company  had  dispersed." 

A  lady  distinguished  in  Philadelphia  society  was 
Elizabeth,  youngest  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas  Graeme,  a 
physician  of  note,  and  for  a  time  colonial  collector  of  the 
port.  His  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Sir  William  Keith, 
the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania.  His  house,  "  The  Carpen- 
ter Mansion,"  was  rendered  attractive  and  celebrated  by 
the  talents  and  accomplishments  of  Elizabeth,  who  was 
the  center  of  literary  coteries  accustomed  to  meet  there. 
She  was  sent  to  Europe  for  her  health,  and  was  intro- 
duced into  the  best  society  abroad.  She  attracted  much 
attention  by  her  mental  accomplishments,  and  was  par- 


MRS.   BACHE.— MISS   VINING.  153 

ticularly  noticed  by  the  King  of  England.  On  her 
return  to  Philadelphia  she  presided  in  her  father's  house, 
which  became  the  head-quarters  of  literature,  refined 
taste,  and  hospitality.  Her  husband,  Hugh  Henry 
Ferguson,  a  Scotch  gentleman  ten  years  her  junior, 
espoused  the  royal  cause  in  the  war;  his  wife  was  a 
patriot,  and  their  political  difference  led  to  a  separation. 
Her  charity  and  labors  for  the  soldiers  obtained  the 
respect  of  both  parties,  and  she  always  enjoyed  the 
highest  social  position. 

Sarah,  the  only  daughter  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  was 
born  in  Philadelphia,  in  September,  1744,  married 
Richard  Bache  in  1767,  and  was  prominent  in  the  best 
society.  Her  house  was  the  rendezvous  for  the  com- 
mittee superintending  the  making  of  shirts  for  the  army. 
In  1792  she  accompanied  her  husband  to  England;  and 
two  years  afterwards  they  were  settled  on  their  farm 
near  the  Delaware,  where  they  exercised  unbounded 
hospitality  for  thirteen  years.  She  had  an  impulsive 
and  generous  disposition,  with  cheerful,  strong  good 
sense,  and  a  ready  flow  of  wit.  She  was  a  zealous 
republican,  and  chid  a  school-teacher  for  treating  her 
children  with  peculiar  distinction  as  "  young  ladies  of 
rank."  "  There  is  no  rank  in  this  country,"  she  said, 
"  but  rank  mutton." 

Miss  Vining  was  a  famous  belle  in  Philadelphia.  In 
1783  she  wrote  to  Governor  Dickinson,  complaining  that 
the  town  had  lost  its  gayety  with  the  departure  of  Con- 
gress. Her  rare  beauty  commanded  admiration,  while 


154  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

her  intellectual  endowments  ana  sparkling  wit  enter- 
tained the  literati.  The  French  officers  so  praised  her 
in  their  letters,  that  her  name  became  familiar  in  Paris  ; 
and  Queen  Marie  Antoinette  expressed  to  Jefferson  a 
wish  to  see  her  at  the  Tuileries.  She  had  a  large  cor- 
respondence among  the  great  men  of  the  Revolution. 
When  she  retired  from  her  place  in  society,  she  took' 
up  her  residence  in  Wilmington,  Delaware,  where  she 
received  distinguished  visitors,  foreigners  of  rank  solicit- 
ing introductions  to  her.  Among  the  guests  she  enter- 
tained were  the  Due  de  Liancourt  and  the  Due  d' Or- 
leans (Louis  Philippe).  It  is  said  that  General  Miranda, 
passing  through  Wilmington  at  night,  too  late  for  a  call, 
left  his  card  for  her  at  the  post-office.  Her  last  days 
were  passed  in  seclusion,  not  exempt  from  poverty. 

One  of  the  most  admired  belles  of  Philadelphia,  at  a 
period  when  loyalists  were  prominent  among  the  higher 
classes,  was  Margaret,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Edward 
Shippen,  Chief  Justice  of  Pennsylvania.  Shippen  was 
grandson  to  the  first  city  mayor,  in  1701,  who  had  a 
"  great  and  famous  orchard,  in  which  reposed  herds  of 
tranquil  deer;"  lawns,  and  a  summer-house  in  the  midst 
of  the  garden,  having  tulips,  pinks,  carnations,  roses,  &c. 
He  was  said  to  be  "  the  biggest  man,  with  the  biggest 
house,  and  the  biggest  carriage  in  Philadelphia."  The 
Marquis  de  Chastellux  describes  a  tea-drinking  at  the 
house  of  the  Chief  Justice,  on  the  first  occasion  that  he 
saw  music  introduced  as  an  amusement:  "Miss  Rut- 
ledge,  after  Madame  de  Marbois,  played  on  the  harpsi- 


MRS.   ARNOLD.  155 

chord  ;  Miss  Shippen  sang.  The  Yicomte  de  Nouailles 
took  down  a  violin  mounted  with  harp-strings,  and  made 
the  young  ladies  dance."  At  the  age  of  eighteen,  in  so 
princely  a  home,  belonging  to  a  family  distinguished 
among  the  aristocracy  of  the  day,  beautiful,  brilliant, 
and  spirited,  it  is  no  wonder  that  Margaret  was  the 
toast  of  the  British  officers  and  the  favorite  of  society, 
called  "  one  of  the  brightest  of  the  belles  of  the  Mischi- 
anza."  The  volatile  and  fascinating  young  creature, 
accustomed  to  the  pride  of  life  and  the  homage  paid  to 
loveliness  in  high  station,  was  captivated  by  the  splendor 
of  Benedict  Arnold's  equipments  and  his  military  osten- 
tation. She  became  his  second  wife.  Major  Andre  was 
one  of  her  visitors  and  correspondents.  No  evidence, 
however,  exists  to  sustain  the  accusation  of  the  third 
Yice-President  of  the  United  States,  that  Mrs.  Arnold 
"  instigated  one  of  the  most  startling  crimes  in  history." 
Though  ambitious,  she  was  not  a  Lady  Macbeth ;  and 
there  is  no  proof  even  of  her  acquaintance  with  the  dark 
design  of  her  husband.  Aaron  Burr  would  have  it  that 
"  the  chief  miscreant  of  the  American  Revolution  could 
say,  'Margaret,  my  wife,  she  gave  me  of  the  tree  of 
treason,  and  I  did  eat.'  "  But  she  was  not  yet  nineteen 
when  her  husband  opened  the  correspondence  with  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  ;  nor  could  she  have  counterfeited  the 
anguish  described  as  following  the  discovery  of  his 
treason.  She  found  her  way  back  to  the  shelter  of  her 
father's  house ;  but  in  a  few  months  she  was  ordered  by 
the  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania  to  leave  the 


156  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

State,  and  not  return  during  the  war.  She  followed 
Arnold  to  New  Brunswick,  where  she  resided  at  St. 
Johns,  sad  and  stricken  indeed,  but  lovely  and  fascina- 
ting enough  to  be  sought  after  and  admired.  Her  resi- 
dence was  finally  in  London,  where  she  died  in  1804. 

Rebecca  Franks,  a  young  lady  distinguished  for 
beauty,  intelligence,  and  wit,  occupied  a  brilliant  posi- 
tion in  the  society  of  Philadelphia  in  the  days  of  the 
Revolution.  She  was  the  youngest  of  three  daughters 
of  David  Franks,  a  wealthy  Jewish  merchant.  The 
eldest  married  Oliver  de  Lancey,  who  accepted  a  com- 
mission in  the  British  army  after  the  outbreak  of  the 
war ;  the  second,  Andrew  Hamilton,  owner  of  "  Wood- 
lands," the  finest  rural  residence  in  Philadelphia. 
Rebecca  was  more  celebrated  for  wit  and  repartee  than 
any  lady  of  the  day.  Her  pointed  shafts  spared  neither 
friend  nor  foe,  though  generally  aimed  to  chastise  pre- 
sumption and  folly.  She  was  universally  courted  for  the 
charms  of  her  conversation  ;.  General  Lee  called  her  "  a 
lady  who  has,  had  every  human  and  divine  advantage." 
She  was  one  of  the  princesses  of  the  "  Mischianza."  Few 
were  able  to.  enter  the  lists  in  satire  with  this  scornful 
belle.  In  a  letter  from.  New  York,  she  described  social 
life  in  that  city : — 

"  You  ask  a  description  of  Miss  Cornelia  Van  Home.  Her  per- 
son is  too  large  for  a  beauty,  in  ray  opinion,  and  yet  I  am  not  par- 
tial to  little  women.  Her  sister  Kitty  is  the  belle  of  the  family. 
By  the  bye,  few  ladies  here  know  how  to  entertain  company  in 
their  own  houses,  unless  they  introduce  the  card-table.  Except 
the  Van  Homes,  who  are  remarkable  for  their  good  sense  and  ease, 


MISS   FRANKS.  157 

I  don't  kno\v  a  woman  or  girl  who  can  ch.it  above  half  an  hour, 
and  that  on  the  form  of  a  cap,  the  color  of  a  rihbon,  or  the  set  of  a 
hoop,  stay,  or  jupon.  I  will  do  our  ladies,  that  is,  the  Philadel- 
phians,  the  justice  to  say,  that  they  have  more  cleverness  in  the 
turn  of  an  eye  than  those  of  New  York  have  in  their  whole  com- 
position. With  what  ease  have  I  seen  a  Chew,  a  Perm,  an  Oswald, 
or  an  Allen,  and  a  thousand  others,  entertain  a  large  circle  of  both 
sexes;  the  conversation,  without  the  aid  of  cards,  never  flagging, 
nor  seeming  in  the  least  strained  or  stupid.  Here  in  New  York, 
you  enter  a  room  with  a  formal  set  curtsey,  and  after  the  howdos, 
things  are  finished ;  all  is  a  dead  calm  till  the  cards  are  introduced, 
when  you  see  pleasure  dancing  in  the  eyts  of  all  the  matrons,  and 
they  seem  to  gain  new  life.  The  maidens,  if  they  have  favorite 
swains,  frequently  decline  playing,  for  the  pleasure  of  making 
love ;  for,  to  all  appearance,  it  is  the  ladies,  not  the  gentlemen, 
who  now-a-days  show  a  preference.  It  is  here,  I  fancy,  always 
leap-year.  Indeed,  scandal  says,  that  in  the  cases  of  most  who 
have  been  married,  the  first  advances  came  from  the  lady's  side,  or 
she  got  a  male  friend  to  introduce  the  intended  victim  and  pass  her 
off.  I  suspect  there  would  be  more  marriages  were  another  mode 
adopted ;  they  have  made  the  men  so  saucy,  that  I  sincerely  be- 
lieve the  lowest  ensign  thinks  he  has  but  to  ask  and  have ;  that  a 
red  coat  and  smart  epaulette  are  sufficient  to  secure  a  female 
heart." 

Soon  after  the  war,  Miss  Franks  was  married  to 
Lieu  tenant-General  Sir  Henry  Johnston,  who  had  been 
knighted  for  his  gallantry  in  one  of  the  outbreaks  of 
rebellion  in  Ireland.  In  1810  she  was  living  at  Bath  in 
great  style,  exercising  a  liberal  hospitality,  with  all  the 
graces  and  virtues  that  adorn  social  life.  General  Scott 
visited  her  some  years  later,  with  a  letter  of  introduction 
from  her  great-niece.  He  remembered  hearing  of  her  as 
"  the  belle  of  Philadelphia,  handsome,  witty,  and  an 
heiress ;  also  high  in  toryism  and  eccentricity."  He 
recollected  that  when  Mrs.  Washington  gave  a  ball  to 


158  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

the  French  Minister,  in  honor  of  the  recent  alliance 
between  Louis  XVI.  and  the  United  States,  which  had 
led  America  to  unite  the  cockades  of  the  two  countries — 
white  and  black — Miss  Franks  had  caused  this  token  of 
alliance  to  be  tied  to  the  neck  of  a  dog,  and  by  bribing 
a  servant  got  the  animal,  thus  decorated,  turned  into  the 
ball-room.  In  1816,  the  vivacious  lady,  from  ill  health, 
had  become  prematurely  old ;  "  a  near  approach  to  a 
ghost,  but  with  eyes  still  bright,  and  other  remains  of 
her  former  self."  On  receiving  the  letter  of  introduc- 
tion, Lady  Johnston  sent  her  amiable  husband— a  fine 
old  soldier — to  fetch  the  stranger.  Scott  was  fortunate- 
ly acquainted  with  her  eccentricities.  She  had  been 
rolled  out  on  the  lawn  in  an  easy-chair  to  receive  him ; 
and  he  was  transfixed  by  her  eager  gaze.  "Is  this  tlie 
young  rebel  ?"  were  her  first  words.  "  Yes,  it  is,"  she 
added,  quickly ;  "  the  young  rebel ;  and  you  have  taken 
the  liberty  to  beat  his  Majesty's  troops !"  Scott  pleas- 
antly parried  the  impeachment ;  but  she  followed  it  up 
with  specific  references.  At  last  the  American  soldier 
•found  himself  seated  beside  her,  a  hand  clasped  in  both 
hers,  which  were  cold  and  clammy  as  death.  Suddenly 
she  exclaimed :  "  I  have  gloried  in  my  rebel  country- 
men!"  Then,  lifting  both  her  hands  towards  heaven, 
she  added :  "  Would  to  heaven  I  too  had  been  a  pa- 
triot !"  Sir  Henry  here  interposed  with  a  gentle  remon- 
strance. Turning  on  him  with  the  earnestness  of  truth, 
she  said :  "  I  do  not — I  have  never  regretted  my  mar- 
riage !  No  woman  was  ever  blessed  with  a  kinder- — a 


MRS.    STOCKTON. — MRS.    RUFUS   KING.  159 

better  husband;  but  I  ought  to  have  been  a  patriot 
before  marriage !"  In  relating  this  incident,  Scott  used 
to  say  that  Lady  Johnston's  eyes  were  the  only  ones  free 
from  tears. 

The  wife  of  one,  and  the  mother-in-law  of  another 
signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  Mrs.  Annis 
Stockton,  of  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  adorned  high  posi- 
tion by  elevated  character  and  superior  endowments. 
She  was  the  descendant  of  Elias  Boudinot,  a  French 
Protestant,  who  fled  after  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of 
Nantes.  Elias  Boudinot  of  New  Jersey  was  her  brother. 
She  wras  born  about  1Y33.  After  her  marriage  to  Rich- 
ard Stockton,  she  lived  at  his  seat  near  Princeton,  and 
shared  with  him  the  perils  and  privations  incident  to 
war.  Her  husband's  letters  to  her  from  England,  roman- 
tically addressed  to  his  "  dearest  Emilia,"  portray  the 
most  charming  of  characters.  She  had  refined  literary 
taste  and  cultivation,  and  was  the  author  of  a  volume  of 
poems.  Washington  praised  her  pastoral  on  the  capture 
of  Cornwallis,  and  complimented  her  talents  in  several 
letters.  Her  social  influence  was  acknowledged  by 
an  extensive  circle  of  friends.  She  was  called  "The 
Duchess"  for  her  elegance  and  dignity.  Her  daughter 
Julia  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush.  Mrs. 
Stockton  died  in  1801. 

Rufus  King,  in  1786,  married  Miss  Mary  Alsop,  the 
only  child  of  John  Alsop,  an  opulent  merchant  of  New 
York,  and  a  member  of  the  first  Continental  Congress. 
She  was  noted  for  beauty;  having  an  oval  face,  with 


160  QUEENS  OP  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

regular  features,  blue  eyes,  and  a  clear  brunette  com- 
plexion; black  hair  and  fine  teeth.  Her  movements 
were  graceful,  her  manner  was  gracious  and  winning ; 
her  voice  was  music.  She  possessed  quick  faculties  of 
mind,  and  was  carefully  educated.  Though  reared  in 
the  lap  of  indulgence  she  had  an  unspoiled  nature,  and 
had  little  fondness  for  display,  notwithstanding  that  she 
was  the  object  of  general  admiration. 

When  the  British  occupied  New  York,  in  1778,  Mary 
went  with  her  father  to  Middletown,  Connecticut,  where 
her  girlhood  was  passed.  The  family  returned  to  New 
York  after  peace.  Mary  was  but  sixteen  at  the  time  of 
her  marriage.  '  Her  grandson,  Rufus  King,  married  a 
lady  who  since,  as  Mrs.  Peters,  has  become  a  celebrity 
in  Cincinnati ;  well  known  for  her  active  charities  and 
zeal  in  every  good  work.  She  was  Miss  Worthington. 
In  1867  she  accompanied  some  friends  to  Europe. 


A  region  of  country  near  the  Hudson,  where  the  old 
aristocratic  families  are  held  in  reverence,  is  familiar 
with  the  name  of  Blandina  Bruyn,  the  daughter  of 
Petrus  Edrnundus  Elmendorf,  born  at  Kingston,  then 
called  Esopus,  in  1753.  Her  mother,  Mary  Elmendorf, 
was  known  through  a  large  part  of  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania,  having  studied  medicine  that 
she  might  practise  among  poor  families.  She  took  great 
pains  with  the  education  of  her  daughter,  who  learned 
to  speak  and  write  fluently  English,  Dutch,  and  Erench. 


MES.   BRUYN.  161 

Blandina  was  engaged  to  Jacobus  S.  Bruyn,  who  after- 
wards became  a  colonel  in  the  American  army ;  they 
were  married  in  1782,  and  fixed  their  residence  in  King- 
ston, where  Mrs.  Bruyn  was  a  leader  in  society,  liberally 
entertaining  many  visitors.  Her  charity  and  piety  are 
traditional  in  the  place.  She  died  in  1832.* 


*  The  country-seat  of  Colonel  Morris,  which  became  afterwards  the 
head-quarters  of  General  Washington — about  ten  miles  from  New  York 
— was  the  residence  of  the  singular  woman  known  as  Madame  Jumel,  the 
wife  of  Aaron  Burr.  She  lived  on  Washington  Heights,  and  died  in  1865, 
in  her  ninety-second  year.  She  was  known  in  the  court  circles  of  France, 
though  she  never  had  any  position  in  American  society.  She  was  inti- 
mate with  Patrick  Henry,  Thomas  Jefferson,  General  Knox,  La  Fayette, 
and  others  among  the  leaders  in  the  Revolutionary  struggle.  She  met 
Burr  when  he  was  a  captain  in  the  army,  and  at  Lady  Stirling's  parties ; 
and  it  is  said  that  scores  of  men  of  high  position  and  talents  worshiped 
at  her  shrine.  Many  were  her  escapades  and  adventures,  and  marvelous 
tales  were  told  of  her. 

She  married  Stephen  Jumel,  who  amassed  in  the  wine  trade  a  fortune 
that  gave  him  rank  among  merchant  princes.  Their  residence  was  for  a 
time  in  Paris;  but  after  Jumel  lost  his  fortune,  his  wife,  in  1822,  returned 
alone  to  New  York,  and  lived  on  her  own  estate.  Jumel  was  killed  by  a 
fall  in  his  seventieth  year. 

Colonel  Burr  was  then  practising  law  with  great  success,  though 
seventy-eight  years  of  age.  Madame  Jumel  called  on  him  for  legal  advice 
about  her  estate;  the  acquaintance  ripened,  and  she  invited  the  great 
lawyer  to  dinner.  He  was  charmed  with  her,  and  is  reported  to  have  said, 
on  handing  her  to  the  table,  "Madame,  I  give  you  my  hand;  my  heart 
has  long  been  yours."  At  length  he  proposed,  and  was  rejected;  but 
persevered  in  his  suit.  Having  advanced  so  far  as  to  obtain  an  undecided 
"  No,"  he  said  one  day  in  a  jocular  manner  that  he  should  bring  out  a 
clergyman  to  Fort  Washington,  at  a  certain  time,  and  then  would  expect 
a  more  favorable  answer.  He  came  at  the  time  appointed,  accompanied 
by  Dr  Bogart,  and  took  advantage  of  the  lady's  embarrassment  and  dread 
of  a  new  scandal.  So  they  were  married,  the  ceremony  being  witnessed 
only  by  the  members  of  the  family  and  the  servants,  and  followed  by  an 
excellent  supper.  Some  bottles  from  Jumel's  wine-cellar  that  had  not 


1G2  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

Catharine  Schuyler  was  the  only  daughter  of  John 
Van  Rensselaer,  the  great  land-holder,  called  the  Patroon 
of  Greenbush.  She  married  Philip  Schuyler.  The  fam- 
ily residence  was  near  Albany,  and  was  built  by  Mrs. 
Schuyler  while  her  husband  was  in  England,  about, 
1760.  It  was  a  large  house,  ornamented  in  the  Dutch 
style,  and  was  a  place  of  resort  for  British  officers  and 
travelers  of  note  during  the  French  war.  Fourteen 
French  gentlemen,  paroled  prisoners,  were  here  enter- 
tained at  one  time.  In  1801,  Mrs.  Schuyler  and  some 
of  her  family,  visiting  Montreal  and  Quebec,  were  grate- 
fully welcomed  by  the  children  of  some  of  those  prison- 
ers. After  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  he  and  his  suite 
were  received  and  entertained  by  General  and  Mrs. 
Schuyler,  though  he  had  destroyed  their  elegant  coun- 
try-seat near  Saratoga.  Madame  de  Riedesel  described 

been  opened  for  half  a  century  were  produced  on  the  occasion,  and  the 
party  was  exceeding  merry. 

At  Burr's  advice,  his  wife  sold  out  her  shares  in  some  Connecticut 
property,  and  gave  the  proceeds  to  him  for  investment.  Texas  was  then 
beginning  to  attract  the  tide  of  emigration,  and  Burr  embarked  the  money 
in  an  enterprise  for  settling  a  colony  of  Germans  on  a  tract  of  land  there. 
The  speculation  proved  a  failure,  and  the  title  to  the  lands  defective.  Burr 
had  not  mentioned  the  Texas  scheme  to  his  wife,  and  he  refused  to  account 
for  the  funds  invested.  A  coolness  and  estrangement  followed.  Bun- 
continued  to  speculate  and  lose  his  wife's  money;  her  patience  wa? 
exhausted,  and  she  filed  a  complaint  against  him,  to  deprive  him  of  con- 
trol in  her  affairs.  He  suffered  the  proceedings  to  go  by  default ;  but 
they  went  no  further  than  to  restore  to  the  lady  sole  authority  over  her 
property.  After  a  few  months  of  alternate  reconciliation  and  estrange- 
ment, the  marriage  was  in  effect — though  never  in  law — dissolved. 

After  the  separation,  the  wife  never  bore  Burr's  name,  but  lived  almost 
solitary  in  her  home  on  the  Heights.  Her  grandchildren  inherited  her 
property. 


MBS.    SCIIUYLER. — MBS.    HAMILTON.  163 

their  reception  as  that  of  intimate  friends  rather  than 
enemies.  So  much  delicacy  and  generosity  drew  from 
Burgoyne  the  observation  to  his  host,  "  You  are  too 
kind  to  me,  who  have  done  so  much  injury  to  you." 
The  noble-hearted  victor  replied :  u  Such  is  the  fate  of 
war ;  let  us  not  dwell  on  the  subject."  Even  from  the 
ruins  of  his  beautiful  villa  the  General  had  written  to 
his  wife  to  make  preparations  for  entertaining  their  late 
foes.  The  best  apartments  and  an  excellent  supper  were 
provided,  and  the  honors  done  with  a  grace  that  moved 
the  British  general  to  tears. 

Like  many  other  women  of  her  family,  Mrs.  Schuyler 
was  remarkable  for  vigorous  intellect  and  judgment. 
Many  instances  of  her  heroic  spirit  are  recorded  in 
another  work.  Her  social  influence  was  widely  recog- 
nized, and  was  transmitted  to  her  accomplished  daugh- 
ters. The  second  of  these,  Elizabeth,  married  Alexander 
Hamilton  in  December,  1780.  She  was  described  as  "  a 
charming  woman,  who  joined  to  the  graces  all  the  can- 
dor and  simplicity  of  the  American  wife."  When  Ham- 
ilton was  mortally  wounded,  he  said  :  "  Let  Mrs.  Hamil- 
ton be  immediately  sent  for ;  let  the  event  be  gradually 
broken  to  her,  but  give  her  hopes."  Thus  the  love  of 
his  admirable  wife  was  the  great  man's  strongest  feeling 
in  the  hour  of  death.  When  he  saw  her  frantic  grief, 
he  remonstrated  with  her  gently :  "  Remember,  my 
Elizabeth,  you  are  a  Christian."  His  residence  was  at 
the  corner  of  Wall  and  Broad  Streets,  opposite  Federal 


164  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

Hall.  His  country-seat  on  the  island  was  called  "  The 
Grange." 

There  was  a  story  of  Mrs.  Hamilton's  having  met 
Burr  in  1822,  at  a  dinner  on  board  a  steamboat,  and 
swooning  from  the  shock;  but  it  was  untrue.  Parton 
says  she  met  the  slayer  of  her  husband  on  a  small  steam- 
boat between  New  York  and  Manhattanville,  but  that 
nothing  unusual  occurred.  Mrs.  Hamilton  is  said  to 
have  founded  an  orphan  asylum  in  New  York.  She 
was  one  of  the  few  ladies  for  whom  Talleyrand  professed 
deep  respect  and  admiration. 

During  the  hostilities  between  France  and  England, 
after  the  French  Revolution,  a  French  man-of-war,  with 
the  First  Consul  Napoleon's  brother,  Jerome  Bonaparte, 
on 'board,  was  chased  by  two  English  frigates  into  the 
harbor  of  New  York.  The  future  king  of  Westphalia 
was  thus  constrained  to  visit  the  United  States.  He 
was  received  in  different  cities  with  extraordinary  marks 
of  attention.  Hamilton  made  a  great  dinner  for  him  in 
New  York,  while  he  lived  at  "The  Grange."  The 
company  waited  long,  after  assembling,  for  the  host, 
who  did  not  appear,  to  the  chagrin  of  Mrs.  Hamilton 
and  the  disappointment  of  the  distinguished  guest. 
After  creating  much  uneasiness  by  the  delay,  Hamilton 
at  length  arrived  and  finished  a  hasty  toilet ;  and  the 
tact  with  which  he  made  his  graceful  apologies  to  the 
company  removed  all  embarrassment.  On  that  occasion 
he  had  a  lively  chat  in  French  with  Misrf  Patterson,  of 


MADAME   BONAPARTE.  165 

Baltimore.  Bonaparte  lost  his  heart  to  this  beautiful 
young  lady. 

It  is  a  subject  for  wonder  that  Napoleon  should  have 
been  blind  to  the  capabilities  of  the  American  wife  of 
Jerome  Bonaparte.  With  her  airy  manner,  her  beauty, 
and  her  wit,  so  fair  and  piquante,  she.  would  have  made 
an  excellent  princess.  Jerome,  who  had  been  sent  to 
sea,  assumed  the  airs  of  a  prince  in  Baltimore.  Eliza- 
beth Patterson  was  the  daughter  of  a  rich  and  respected 
merchant,  of  a  family  belonging  to  the  aristocracy.  In 
birtli  and  education  she  was  the  equal  of  Jerome ;  in 
intellect  and  character,  his  superior.  With  her  father's 
consent,  the  marriage  was  celebrated  December  25th, 
1803,  by  Bishop  Carrol,  Roman  Catholic  Bishop  of 
Baltimore.  A  few  months  passed  in  wedding  festivities 
and  social  gayeties. 

The  First  Consul  was  declared  Emperor  before 
Jerome  received  his  answer  to  the  announcement  of  his 
marriage  with  the  fair  American.  A  French  law  existed 
prohibiting  the  marriage  of  any  French  subject  under 
twenty-five  without  the  consent  of  his  guardians ;  and, 
availing  himself  of  this,  the  Emperor  refused  to  recog- 
nize his  brother's  marriage,  and  summoned  him  home, 
forbidding  the  French  vessels  to  give  Madame  Bonaparte 
a  passage,  and  threatening  her  with  arrest  if  she  dared 
accompany  her  husband  to  his  own  country.  A  pension 
of  sixty  thousand  francs  was  offered  her,  on  condition  of 
her  not  assuming  the  name  of  Bonaparte.  Jerome  took 
her  to  Lisbon,  where  he  left  her,  while  he  went  to  Turin 


166  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

to  meet  his  imperial  brother.  With  a  meanness  of  soul 
no  royalty  could  cover,  he  offered  to  give  up  wife  and 
child,  repudiating  his  marriage,  and  submitting  to  the 
will  of  Napoleon,  who  gave  him  to  wife  a  German 
princess,  and  made  him  king  of  Westphalia.  Madame 
Bonaparte  was  left  unprotected  and  without  provision  in 
a  foreign  country,  not  yet  eighteen,  and  with  a  new-born 
infant.  Abandoned  by  her  husband,  subjected  to  the 
bitterest  outrage,  the  legality  of  her  marriage  denied, 
stripped  of  means,  and  flung  upon  the  world,  she  yet 
managed  to  sustain  her  difficult  position  with  a  calm 
spirit  and  scornful  courage.  She  was  in  Paris  in  1816, 
and  much  in  society ;  the  most  distinguished  among  the 
literati  belonging  to  her  circle.  In  the  autumn  of  1819, 
she  wrote  to  Lady  Morgan,  with  whom  she  was  intimate, 
that  she  had  "  heroically  resolved  to  support  the  ennui 
of  her  fate  in  America,"  but  was  compelled  to  go  abroad 
for  the  means  of  education  for  her  son. 

"  You  know,"  she  says,  "  we  have  been  nearly  ruined 
in  America  by  commercial  speculations ;  and  even  I 
have  suffered,  as  my  tenants  are  no  longer  able  to  pay 
me  the  same  rents,  and  the  banks  have  been  obliged  to 
diminish  the  amount  of  yearly  interest."  Speaking  of 
her  son,  she  says :  "  His  father  never  has  and  never 
will  contribute  a  single  farthing  towards  his  mainte- 
nance. We  have  no  correspondence  since  the  demand  I 
made  two  years  ago,  which  was  merely  that  he  would 
pay  some  part  of  his  necessary  expenditure.  This  he 


MRS.   WILSON.  167 

positively  refused ;  therefore  I  consider  myself  authorized 
to  educate  him  in  my  own  way." 

Jerome  Bonaparte,  in  later  years,  lived  on  familiar 
terms  in  London  with  Lady  Morgan's  circle.  Vain, 
selfish,  inconsiderate,  and  extravagant,  he  owned  no 
obligation  but  his  own  whims.  In  1849  Madame  Bona- 
parte wrote  from  Baltimore  to  Lady  Morgan  :  "  There  is 
nothing  here  worthy  of  attention  save  the  money-market. 
Society,  conversation,  friendship,  belong  to  older  coun- 
tries, and  are  not  yet  cultivated  in  any  part  of  the  United 
States  which  1  have  visited.  You  ought  to  thank  your 
stars  for  your  European  birth  ;  you  may  believe  me  when 
I  assure  you  it  is  only  distance  from  republics  which 
lends  enchantment  to  the  view  of  them.  A  residence 
of  a  few  months  in  the  Etats  Unis  would  cure  the  most 
ferocious  republican  of  the  mania  of  republics."  Never- 
theless, the  evening  of  her  life  passes  serenely  in  Balti- 
more. Beyond  fourscore,  she  enjoys  excellent  health, 
which  she  attributes,  in  part,  and  no  doubt  justly,  to 
early  hours.  Her  habits  are  active,  and  she  is  able  to 
enjoy  the  visits  of  her  friends  and  strangers. 


Mrs.  Wilson  was  celebrated  in  New  Jersey,  both  in 
the  days  of  her  girlhood  and  widowhood.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Colonel  Charles  Stewart,  and  was  born  in 
1758,  at  Sidney,  the  residence  of  Judge  Johnston,  her 
maternal  grandfather.  The  old  mansion  was  one  of  the 
most  stately  and  aristocratic  of  colonial  residences  in 


168  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

that  section  of  New  Jersey.  Its  square,  massive  walls 
and  heavy  portals,  made  for  defence  against  the  Indians, 
formed  a  stronghold  for  the  wealthy  proprietor,  his  rela- 
tives and  dependents  for  miles  around.  "l  The  big  stone 
house"  was  in  fact  extensively  noted  as  a  place  of  refuge 
from  danger.  For  thirty  years  before  the  Kevolution, 
Judge  Johnston  was  chief  magistrate  of  that  section  of 
the  colony,  holding  court  every  week  in  his  spacious 
hall.  The  house  was  situated  on  an  'elevated  terrace, 
overhung  by  parklike  woods,  at  the  confluence  of  the 
Capulory  and  a  branch  of  the  Raritan.  Colonel  Stewart 
had  a  place  adjoining  this  estate.  His  hospitality  was 
really  unlimited ;  besides  that  his  house  was  the  resort 
of  choice  spirits  in  intellect  and  public  influence,  the 
stranger  and  the  wanderer  "  were  almost  compelled  to 
come  in." 

Miss  Stewart  always  presided  at  his  bountiful  table. 
In  1776  she  married  Robert  Wilson,  a  young  Irishman 
of  the  Barony  of  Innishowan,  and  went  with  him  to 
Philadelphia.  Widowed  after  three  years  of  married 
life,  she  returned  to  her  residence  at  Hackettstown, 
where  her  situation  was  favorable  for  observation  and 
knowledge  of  important  military  movements.  She  here 
entertained  the  leading  spirits  of  the  Revolution.  Wash- 
ington, La  Fayette,  Generals  Greene,  Gates,  Maxwell, 
and  others,  were  her  frequent  guests.  On  one  occasion, 
she  had  ordered  dinner  provided  for  thirty  or  forty, 
when  news  was  privately  brought  to  her  that  General 
and  Mrs.  Washington  were  coming,  escorted  by  a  troop 


MRS.  WILSOK  169 

of  horse.  She  was  soon  ready  to  welcome  them.  The 
party  stayed  till  the  afternoon  of  next  day,  and  crowds 
came  to  see  the  chief.  To  gratify  the  people,  Mrs. 
Wilson  had  a  fine  horse  brought  up,  and  invited  the 
General  to  go  out  and  inspect  it.  On  another  occasion, 
when  there  was  a  similar  crowd,  a  tory  lady  obtained 
permission  to  stand  in  the  hall  while  the  General  passed 
through,'  and  was  so  much  affected  by  the  majesty  of  his 
deportment  that  she  discarded  her  loyalism. 

In  her  journeys  to  and  from  the  camp,  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington stopped  to  visit  Mrs.  Wilson.  During  the  Pres- 
idency of  Washington,  when  Mrs.  Wilson  came  to 
Philadelphia  with  her  daughter  and  entered  society,  she 
was  distinguished  by  particular  attentions  from  his 
family. 

Her  father's  house  was  robbed  by  bandit  tories  in 
1T83.*  Till  his  death  in  1800,  Mrs.  Wilson  continued 
at  the  head  of  his  family,  and  in  the  exercise  of  her 
proverbial  hospitality.  General  Maxwell  of  New  Jersey 
was  a  constant  visitor.  She  was  often  heard  to  express 
regret  that  full  justice  had  not  been  done  to  this  valued 
friend  by  some  impartial  biographer.  "  As  a  soldier 
and  a  patriot,  he  had  few  superiors,"  she  was  wont  to 
say ;  "  and  in  integrity,  strength  of  mind,  and  kindness 
of  heart,  but  few  equals."  She  saw  him  first  at  a  review 
of  his  regiment,  the  second  raised  in  New  Jersey.  He 
distinguished  himself  in  many  battles,  and  testimony  is 

*  See  "  Women  of  the  American  Revolution."     General  Maxwell  was 
the  grand-uncle  of  the  author  of  this  work. 


170  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

borne  to  his  high  character  and  services,  in  numerous 
letters  and  journals  of  the  day.  Before  the  close  of  the 
war  he  resigned  his  commission,  in  displeasure  at  the 
appointment  over  him  of  an  inferior  officer.  His  death 
took  place  at  the  bouse  of  Colonel  Stewart. 

For  fifteen  years  after  her  father's  death,  Mrs.  Wilson 
devoted  her  time  to  the  settlement  of  his  large  estates, 
and  the  care  of  two  orphan  nephews,  one  of  whom  was 
the  distinguished  missionary  and  author,  Rev.  Charles 
Stewart.  In  1808  she  removed  to  Cooperstown,  New 
York;  but  her  last  years  were  spent  at  "The  Lake- 
lands," the  beautiful  residence  of  her  daughter,  near 
that  town.  Hers  was  a  lovely  close  of  life,  universally 
respected  and  honored;  it  might  better  be  called  a 
ripening  for  immortality. 


MRS.   BEEKMAN.  171 


VII. 

OLOFF  STEVENSON  YAN  CORTLANDT,  the  ancestor  of 
a  distinguished  family,  died  in  this  country  about  1683, 
leaving  seven  children.  Two  years  later,  his  eldest  son 
obtained  from  Governor  Dougan  a  patent  for  large  tracts 
of  land  purchased  from  the  Indians  in  Westchester,  Put- 
nam, and  Duchess  Counties.  The  old-fashioned  stone 
mansion  that  stood  on  the  banks  of  the  Croton — known 
as  the  Cortlandt  Manor  House — was  the  residence  of  the 
family  for  many  years  preceding  the  Revolution,  and  it 
was  here  that  Cornelia,  second  daughter  of  Pierre  Yan 
Cortlandt  and  Joanna  Livingston,  was  born,  in  1752. 
Her  father,  a  zealous  patriot,  was  Lieutenant-Governor 
of  New  York  under  George  Clinton,  from  1777  to  1795. 
Her  husband  was  Gerard  G.  Beekman ;  and  their  home, 
after  marriage,  was  in  New  York,  till  the  storm  of  war 
drove  them  back  to  Croton.  When  the  Peekskill  Manor 
House,  a  large  brick  building  two  miles  north  of  Peeks- 
kill,  was  completed,  the  Beekmans  removed  thither, 
remaining  during  the  war.  It  was  a  picturesque  spot, 
but  too  convenient,  as  a  place  of  encampment  for  the 
army,  not  to  be  exposed  to  peril  and  aggression.  Of 
these  Mrs.  Beekman  had  her  full  share  from  the  tories ; 
on  one  occasion,  when  she  was  constrained  to  fly,  finding 


172  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

the  house  despoiled  of  every  thing  on  her  return.  Her 
social  qualities  and  unbounded  hospitality  made  her 
famous  throughout  the  country.  The  leading  Ameri- 
can officers  were  entertained,  and  one  room  was  called 
"Washington's" — the  house  having  been  his  and  Gen- 
eral Patterson's  head-quarters.  The  charity  and  kind- 
ness of  Mrs.  Beekman  were  as  widely  known  as  her  hos- 
pitality; and  the  poor  of  the  country  blessed  her  for 
many  acts  of  self-sacrificing  generosity.  The  trials  and 
privations  she  endured  for  her  patriotism,  and  the  depre- 
dations with  which  her  property  was  visited,  are  de- 
scribed in  another  work.* 

The  lands  in  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  having  been 
vested  in  the  State  of  !N"ew  York  by  the  attainder  of  the 
owners,  were  sold  in  parcels;  and  Mr.  Beekman  pur- 
chased the  tract  in  the  vicinity  of  Tarrytown  in  which 
stood  the  old  Manor  House,  to  which  he  removed  his 
family  in  1T85.  "  Castle  Philipse"  was  the  ancient  resi- 
dence of  the  lords  of  Philipsburgh,  and  strongly  fortified, 
in  the  early  days  of  the  colony,  for  defense  against  the 
Indians.  The  embrasures,  or  port-holes,  now  form  the 
cellar  windows.  "With  additions  made  by  Rodolphus 
Philipse,  this  fort  was  a  convenient  dwelling ;  looking 
on  the  old  Dutch  church  built  in  1699  by  Frederick 
Philipse  and  Catharina  Van  Cortlandt  his  wife.  Tra- 
dition says,  while  superintending  its  erection,  she  rode 
from  New  York  on  horseback,  on  moonlight  nights, 

*  "  Women  of  the  American  Revolution." 


MRS.   BEEKMAN.  173 

mounted  on  a  pillion  behind  her  brother,  Jacobns  Van 
Cortlandt.  This  church,  which  was  struck  by  lightning, 
and  rebuilt  with  modern  improvements,  is  described  in 
"  The  Legend  of  Sleepy  Hollow  "  with  the  wide,  woody 
dell,  and  the  bridge  over  the  shaded  stream,  where 
Ichabod  Crane  met  with  his  adventure.  Mrs.  Beekman 
often  expressed  her  indignation  that  Irving  had  given 
the  name  of  "  Sleepy  Hollow"  to  a  spot  so  near  her  own 
residence,  when  the  ravine  on  the  other  side  of  the  hill 
was  the  actual  locality  of  the  legend.  The  Pocanteco,  or 
Mill  Eiver,  wanders  here,  replenished  by  crystal  rills, 
through  a  region  of  romantic  beauty,  by  dark  woodlands, 
over  grassy  meadows,  and  beneath  rugged  heights.  The 
Manor  House  was  fronted  by  trees  surrounding  a  silver 
sheet  of  water;  and  near  it  was  the  old  mill,  with  its 
moss-covered  roof,  where  many  bushels  of  grain  were 
ground  free  of  toll  for  the  poor.  The  windows  com- 
manded a  most  picturesque  view  of  the  landscape 
through  which  the  stream  wound,  to  lose  itself  in  the 
bosom  of  the  Hudson.  Here  passed  the  later  years  of 
Mrs.  Beekman's  life,  in  the  midst  of  a  circle  of  friends, 
to  whose  improvement  and  happiness  she  contributed. 
She  was  well  pleased  to  welcome  La  Fayette  on  his  last 
visit,  and  talk  with  him  of  days  gone  by.  She  survived 
her  husband  many  years,  and  died  in  the  midst  of  loving 
kindred,  in  her  ninety-fifth  year.  Her  funeral  was  at- 
tended by  an  immense  concourse,  in  carriages,  on  horse- 
back, and  on  foot.  The  hearse  was  drawn  by  two  white 
horses  with  sable  trappings,  while  the  tolling  of  the  old 


174  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

church  bell  broke  the  silence.  She  was  known  as  an 
accomplished  lady  "  of  the  old  school."  With  steadfast 
principles,  she  had  a  lofty  sense  of  honor ;  with  force  of 
will  and  stern  resolution,  a  heart  alive  to  all  kindly  feel- 
ings. In  her  prime  she  was  noted  for  beauty  of  person, 
refinement,  and  dignified  courtesy ;  while  her  conversa- 
tion was  brilliant  and  interesting.  Amid  her  stores  of 
anecdote  were  thrilling  tales  of  the  olden  time.  Her 
mental  faculties  were  unimpaired  to  the  last;  though 
her  sight  failed.  Calmly  she  awaited  death,  with  the 
clear  faith  of  a  Christian,  and,  while  counting  the  failing 
beats  of  her  pulse  with  one  hand,  signed  her  name  with 
the  other,  shortly  before  she  breathed  her  last.  Of  her 
brothers  and  sisters,  General  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  and 
Mrs.  Yan  Eensselaer  alone  survived  her.  Her  daughter 
was  Mrs.  De  Peyster,  and  her  son  was  Dr.  Beekman  of 
Tarry  town. 

Mrs.  Gates,  the  wife  of  General  Gates,  was  his  intel- 
ligent and  efficient  helpmeet,  managing  his  house  and 
estate  in  his  absence.  She  was  Miss  Phillips,  the  daugh- 
ter of  a  British  officer.  She  and  General  Gates  lived  for 
years  in  Virginia,  but  afterwards  at  their  country-seat — 
"Rose  Hill" — near  New  York,  where  they  exercised 
almost  unlimited  hospitality.  "  My  Mary "  was  always 
quoted  with  deference  by  the  General,  and  had  a  frank 
welcome  for  his  friends. 


CATHARINE  M  VAN   CORTLANDT  FIELD 


MRS.   BENJAMIN  H.    FIELD.  175 

MRS.  FIELD,  the  grand-daughter  of  Cornelia  Beekman, 
has  the  blood  of  the  most  distinguished  families  in 
America  in  her  veins.  The  De  Peysters,  Livingstons, 
Beekmans,  Yan  Cortlandts,  and  Yan  Rensselaers,  among 
whose  branches  the  intermarriages  would  puzzle  a  gene- 
alogist, were  all  more  or  less  closely  connected  with  hei 
ancestors.  It  is  curious  to  trace  back  such  a  descent. 
Taking  that  of  De  Peyster — one  of  the  French  Protest- 
ant families  driven  from  their  native  land  by  the  perse- 
cution of  Charles  IX. — we  find  the  first  American  resi- 
dent to  be  Johannes  de  Peyster,  a  native  of  Haarlem, 
and  a  merchant  of  wealth  and  respectable  standing.  He 
was  descended  from  a  long  line,  and  filled  various  poSi 
tions  in  the  church  and  magistracy  ;  being  Deputy 
Mayor  of  New  Amsterdam  in  1677.  Portions  of  mas- 
sive and  elegant  plate,  and  gems  of  art  in  the  way  of 
pictures,  brought  by  him  from  Holland,  are  preserved  by 
his  descendants.  He  was  assessed  among  the  wealthiest 
inhabitants  of  the  city,  and  his  name  is  chronicled  in 
connection  with  movements  of  importance  in  the  colony. 
The  office  of  Schepen  was  held  by  him ;  and  after  the 
cession  of  the  Dutch  colony  to  England,  he  was  promo- 
ted to  the  highest  offices  in  the  municipality.  Two  of 
his  sons  and  a  son-in-law  were  successively  Mayors  of 
New  York.  Of  the  sons,  Abraham  was  a  prominent 
politician,  of  great  wealth,  and  one  of  the  largest  owners 
of  real  estate  in  the  colony.  His  wife  was  Caterina  De 
Peyster,  who  was  married  to  him  in  Holland  in  1684. 
He  was  one  of  Leisler's  adherents  in  the  revolution  of 


176  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

1689 ;  was  Judge,  and  then  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  and  died  in  1728.  His  son,  Colonel  Abraham  De 
Peyster,  at  different  times  advanced  large  sums  for 
Government  use.  He  was  a  friend  of  Bellamont  and 
William  Tell  the  patriot.  His  eldest  son,  Abraham, 
succeeded  him  in  the  office  of  Treasurer  of  the  Province 
of  New  York  about  1721,  and  his  eldest  daughter,  Cath- 
arine, was  married  to  Philip  Yan  Cortlandt,  whose  son 
was  the  well-known  Lieutenant-Governor  Pierre  Yan 
Cortlandt,  of  Croton.  His  daughter,  Elizabeth,  was  the 
wife  of  Hon.  John  Hamilton,  the  Governor  of  New 
Jersey.  His  seventh  son,  Pierre  Guillaume  De  Peyster, 
married  Catharine  Schuyler,  the  sister  of  Peter  Schuyler, 
who  was  famous  for  his  extraordinary  influence  among 
the  Five  Nations  of  Indians.  The  second  son  of  this 
Pierre  Guillaume  was  the  distinguished  Colonel  Arent 
Schuyler  De  Peyster,  of  the  British  army,  whose  services 
secured  the  overthrow  of  French  influence  in  the  great 
Northwest,  thus  giving  the  empire  of  the  lakes  to  the 
Anglo-Saxon  race.  Abraham,  who  held  the  office  of 
Treasurer  forty  years,  had  a  descendant  in  the  British 
army,  who  met  with  marvellous  accidents.  He  was 
blown  up,  and  buried  for  more  than  an  hour,  by  the 
explosion  of  a  mine  at  the  siege  of  Yalenciennes ;  swal- 
lowed up  twice  by  the  explosion  of  another  mine  in  front 
of  the  French  works  near  Menin,  and  so  completely  cov- 
ered that  only  the  fringe  of  his  sash  protruded  from  the 
ground,  leading,  after  a  long  search,  to  the  recovery  of 


MRS.   BENJAMIN"  H.   FIELD  177 

his  body.     A  few  days  afterwards  he  fell  in  action  at 
Lincelles,  in  1793. 

The  Colonel  Arent  Schuyler  De  Peyster  alluded  to 
was  remarkable  as  a  soldier  and  diplomatist.  The  Brit- 
ish government  owed  to  him  itg  vast  Northwest  terri- 
tory. He  wielded  a  vigorous  pen,  and  had  a  poetical 
controversy  with  Burns  through  the  Dumfries  Journal. 
One  of  Burus's  fugitive  pieces,  addressed  to  him  in  1796, 
Degan — 

"My  honored  Colonel,  deep  I  feel 
Your  interest  in  the  poet's  weal. 
All,  how  sma'  heart  ha'  I  to  speel 

The  steep  Parnassus, 
Surrounded  thus  by  bolus  pill 

And  potion  glasses." 

This  really  "wonderful  man"  was  buried  with  honors 
in  Dumfries.  His  nephew,  namesake,  protege,  and 
intended  heir,  one  of  the  first  American  circumnaviga- 
tors, sailed  twice  round  the  world,  doubling  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope  fifteen  times,  and  discovering  the  De  Peyster 
Islands. 

Frederick,  the  son  of  James  De  Peyster  and  Sarah 
Reade,  was  born  in  1758,  and  married  Helen  Hake,  the 
daughter  of  the  claimant  of  the  title  of  Lord  Hake,  and 
the  grand-daughter  of  Robert  Gilbert  Livingston.  His 
second  wife  was  Ann,  daughter  of  Gerard  G.  Beekman, 
and  grand-daughter  of  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  of  Croton. 
He  had  one  son  and  seven  daughters,  of  whom,  the 
youngest  was  Catherine  Matilda  Van  Cortlandt  De  Pey- 
eter,  the  lady  of  whom  we  make  brief  mention,  as  one  of 


178  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

the  few  Americans  who  can  look  back  upon  the  wonder 
fill  deeds  of  distinguished  ancestors,  and  refer  to  a  thick 
volume  of  genealogy. 

Miss  De  Pejster  was  carefully  educated,  and  from 
childhood  associated  with  the  numerous  connections  of 
her  family  who  have  their  residences  on  the  Hudson  and 
in  New  York.  In  1838,  she  married  Mr.  Benjamin 
Hazard  Field,  a  descendant  of  Sir  John  Field,  the 
astronomer.  He  is  the  owner  of  the  tract  of  land  in 
Westchester  County  which  has  been  kept  in  the  family 
over  two  hundred  and  fifty  years ;  but  his  residence  has 
been  chiefly  in  New  York,  where  Mrs.  Field  has  hospita- 
bly entertained  numerous  friends  from  time  to  time,  and 
devoted  herself  to  the  care  of  her  two  children.  In  1863, 
her  "  silver  wedding "  was  celebrated  by  a  very  large 
party  and  the  offering  of  splendid  presents.  A  large 
mirror  over  the  mantel  was  encircled  by  a  plateau  of 
green  moss,  suitable  to  the  Christmas  season,  with  the 
letters,  "  Silver  Wedding,"  formed  by  rose-buds,  through 
the  center  of  the  half  circle.  Rich  bouquets  and  baskets 
of  flowers  were  ranged  on  either  side,  and  on  each  side 
the  corresponding  mirror  in  the  hall;  the  reflection  hav- 
ing a  fine  effect  when  the  folding-doors  were  thrown 
open.  Poetry,  as  well  as  flowers,  adorned  the  festive 
occasion.  The  Bishop  of  Western  New  York,  Eev. 
Arthur  Cleveland  Coxe,  gave  to  Mrs.  Field  some  im- 
promptu verses,  referring  to  another  gay  party  which 
they  had  mutually  enjoyed  when  he  was  a  youth,  not 


MRS.   BENJAMIN    H.    FIELD.  179 

yet  devoted  to  the  sacred  calling.     Even  an  early  effu- 
sion from  such  a  mind  is  worth  preserving. 


TO  MRS.  B.  H.  FIELD. 

"  I  take  your  word — it  must  be  so, 

This  is  your  silver  wedding-day  I 
I  thought  we  still  were  young — but  lol 
My  hair  is  turning  silver-gray. 

"  And,  now  you  mention  it,  the  time 

Comes  back  to  mind,  and  that  gay  board, 
When  flrst  I  prophesied,  in  rhyme, 
Sen  should  be  soon  your  wedded  lord. 

"Merry  we  spoke  and  merry  laughed; 

And  bright  your  crimson  blushes  glowed, 
As  foaming  bumpers  then  wo  quafl'ed, 
And  wished  you  life's  most  flowery  road. 

"  Full  soon  the  oracle  came  true. 

But  scarce  can  I  believe  mine  ears, 

When,  now,  once  more  it  comes  to  view, 

Well  kept  for  flve-and-twenty  years. 

"So  lasts  and  lives  the  generous  wine; 

And  so,  well  kept,  the  vintage  flows 
Afresh,  when  years  are  sped,  and  fine 
And  mellow  too  its  flavor  grows  1 

"I  did  not  pledge  so  long  a  lease 

Of  love  and  joy,  your  destined  fate; 
Though  married  bliss  and  home-born  peace 
I  knew  full  well  would  bless  your  mate. 

"  For  years  'tis  God  alone  can  give : 

And  solemn  must  the  questions  be, 
How  long  together  ye  shall  live  ? 
Who  shall  your  golden  wedding  see? 


180  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

"How  long  shall  yet  the  merry  ring 

Of  friends  that  saw  your  gladsome  start 
Unbroken  last?     What  year  shall  bring 
To  one,  or  all,  the  broken  heart? 

11  With  Heaven  still  let  the  secret  rest  1 

Happy,  if  with  assurance  calm 
We  wait,  each  one — to  be  a  guest 
At  the  great  wedding  of  the  Lamb? 


SOCIETY  IN  CHARLESTON.  181 


VIII. 

THE  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes,  in  the  days  of 
Louis  XIV.,  drove  from  their  homes  thousands  of  the 
best  among  the  French  population.  Many  of  those  who 
sought  refuge  in  America  settled  in  the  Carolinas,  where 
their  industry  created  homes  for  their  families.  Among 
these  were  the  Hugers,  the  Petigrus,  the  Desaussures, 
the  Gourdins,  and  others  eminent  in  society.  In  the 
Eevolution  all  adhered  to  the  cause  of  the  patriots. 

Charleston,  in  South  Carolina,  was  in  advance  of  any 
other  Southern  city  as  the  seat  of  social  elegance  and 
refined  and  generous  hospitality.  The  private  residents 
were  so  liberal  in  entertaining  strangers  that  inn-keepers 
complained  of  their  business  suffering.  The  ladies  wore 
the  rich  and  tasteful  costumes  of  the  middle  of  the 
century;  and  their  milliners  and  tailors  kept  up  commu- 
nication with  Paris,  as  the  preference  was  given  to 
French  fashions.  From  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
business  was  given  up,  and  the  people  thought  only  of 
amusement.  There  were  two  gaming  houses,  which 
were  always  full.  The  women  were  not  so  handsome  as 
in  Philadelphia,  but  were  interesting  and  agreeable.  At 
a  public  concert  and  ball  given  when  Washington  was 
in  Charleston,  they  wore  bandeaux  of  white  ribbon  inter- 


182  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

woven  in  the  head-dress,  with  heads  of  Washington 
painted  on  them,  and  the  motto,  in  gilt  letters,  "  Long 
live  the  President." 

Among  the  Charleston  ladies  most  prominent  in 
society,  some  loyalist  women  formed  the  material  of  the 
large  parties  given  by  the  leading  officers  of  the  British 
army.  Local  tradition  remembers  among  them,  as  belles 
of  the  city  during  its  occupation  by  the  royal  troops,  the 
Misses  Harvey ;  three  sisters,  of  rich,  exuberant  beauty, 
and  wild,  passionate  temper.  "Moll  Harvey,"  as  she 
was  familiarly  called,  was  a  splendid  woman,  with  dark, 
Cleopatra-like  eyes,  and  tresses  long,  massive,  and  glossy 
black.  "  A  more  exquisite  figure  never  floated  through 
the  mazes  of  a  dance."  Her  intellect  was  subtle,  and 
she  was  keen  and  quick  at  repartee,  free  of  fancy,  and 
of  a  bold  and  reckless  spirit.  It  is  said  that  one  of  her 
flirtations  was  with  Prince  William,  afterwards  William 
IY.,  the.1!'  a  lieutenant  in  the  navy.  The  prince  became 
madly  in  love  with  her,  and  the  rumor  went  that  he  pro- 
posed a  secret  marriage  ;  but  her  proud  spirit  would  be 
content  only  with  public  espousals.  Another  royalist 
lady  was  Miss  Mary  Roupell,  a  proud  beauty,  and 
haughty  as  a  queen.  Paulina  Phelps  was  an  heiress, 
and  of  highly  respectable  family ;  she  made  a  conquest 
of  Major  Archibald  Campbell — "  Mad  Archy,"  as  he  was 
termed. 

The  fashionable  Mrs.  Eivington  was  the  widow  of  a 
wealthy  planter,  and  lived  in  Broad  Street.  Her  hus- 
band had  been  one  of  the  royal  counsellors  for  the  pro- 


MRS.    RIVINGTON. — MRS.    SINGLETOX.  183 

vince.  She  was  a  fiery  tory,  and  led  the  ton  among 
them  all,  ruling  with  absolute  sway  as  long  as  the  Brit- 
ish had  possession  of  Charleston,  and  turning  her  back 
on  the  liutledges,  Gadsdens,  and  other  Whig  families. 
She  was  indeed  an  important  acquisition  to  the  garrison. 
She  was  wealthy,  fair,  and  forty,  though  not  fat;  her 
suppers  were  excellent.  Thus  Cornelia  Rivington  had 
numerous  admirers,  but  rejected  all  matrimonial  over- 
tures. Having  suffered  as  a  wife,  she  took  revenge  as  a 
widow,  and  the  stout  majors  of  foot  who  besieged  her 
heart  were  compelled  to  sigh  in  vain.  She  gave  levees 
for  conversation  and  evening  parties ;  and  at  her  "morn- 
ings "  her  rooms  were  open  from  eleven  to  one. 

Mrs.  Richard  Singleton  was  sprung  of  the  best  Vir- 
ginia stock,  and  was  devoted  to  the  American  cause. 
Her  husband  had  lost  his  life  in  the  last  struggle  with 
the  French,  when  the  Indians  ravaged  the  frontier. 
Her  house  was  in  Church  Street  near  Tradd,  and  it  was 
a  favorite  point  of  meeting  with  the  patriots.  "  Hither, 
in  the  dark  days  that  found  their  husbands,  sons,  or 
brothers  in  exile,  or  in  camp,  or  in  the  prison-ship,  came 
the  Rutledges,  the  Laurens,  the  Izards,  and  most  of  the 
distinguished  families  of  the  low  country  of  South  Caro- 
lina, to  consult  as  to  the  future,  to  review  their  con- 
dition, to  consider  their  resources ;  and,  if  no  more,  to 
'  weep  their  sad  bosoms  empty.'  "  Among  these  Whig 
ladies  were  the  wife  of  General  Gadsden,  a  dame  of 
stately  pride ;  Mrs.  Savage  and  Mrs.  Parsons,  described 
by  the  witling  as  "  tragedy  queens,"  &c. ;  and  the  names 


184  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

of  Edwards,  Horry,  Ferguson,  Pinckney,  and  Elliott, 
were  represented  with  dignity  and  patriotism.  They  all 
attended  Mrs.  Singleton's  "evenings."  Grave  studies 
occupied  their  time ;  their  work  was  to  go  continually 
from  the  city  to  the  interior,  gathering  reports  of  the 
signs  of  the  times,  and  conveying  intelligence,  and  some- 
times ammunition,  to  friends  in  the  army,  or  devising 
schemes  for  the  deliverance  of  the  city.  Thus  the  social 
assemblages  sometimes  led  to  large  results.  Notwith- 
standing political  troubles,  Charleston  was  gay  at  that 
time ;  there  were  fetes  champetres,  and  brilliant  evening 
parties ;  parties  and  picnics  for  Hadd rill's,  Sullivan's, 
James's,  and  Morris  Islands ;  drives  into  St.  Andrews, 
Goose  Creek,  and  Accabee,  &c.  Tradition  remembers  a 
grand  ball  given  in  a  mansion  in  Ladsden's  Court,  then 
occupied  by  Biddulph,  the  paymaster  of  the  British 
forces.  The  whole  court  was  lighted  up,  and  every 
room  was  filled  with  the  select  of  the  garrison  and  the 
distinguished  of  the  city,  without  regard  to  politics,  so 
far  as  ladies  were  concerned.  Mrs.  Brewton,  a  patriotic 
woman,  celebrated  for  her  talent  for  repartee,  was  there. 
A  young  officer  of  the  Guards  offering  to  take  letters  for 
her  to  Mrs.  Motte,  her  sister-in-law,  she  replied :  "  Thank 
you,  Lieutenant,  I  should  like  much  to  write,  but  I 
really  have  no  wish  to  have  my  letters  read  at  the  head 
of  Marion's  brigade."  It  was  believed  that  the  same 
officer's  capture,  which  really  occurred  on  his  expedition, 
was  owing  to  the  secret  intelligence  conveyed  by  Mrs. 
Brewton ;  and  she  was  expelled  from  the  city. 


BALL   IN   CHARLESTON.  185 

The  story  went,  that  "Mad  Archy"  invited  the 
handsome  heiress,  Miss  Paulina  Phelps,  to  take  a  drive 
to  Goose  Creek.  The  rector  of  the  parish,  Mr.  Elling- 
ton, lived  there,  and  was  seen  on  the  piazza  as  they 
drove  up.  Campbell  flung  the  reins  to  a  servant,  sprang 
out,  and  lifted  out  Paulina,  who  seemed  in  extreme 
agitation,  for  she  had  no  sooner  reached  the  piazza  than 
she  sank  into  a  chair,  and  faintly  asked  for  a  glass  of 
water.  Campbell  was  in  great  haste  to  be  married ;  he 
had  laid  a  wager;  the  lady  said  nothing,  but  seemed 
terribly  frightened;  the  parson  was  in  rare  embarrass- 
ment. At  last  "  Mad  Archy"  drew  out  a  pistol.  "  You 
must  marry  us  directly,  or  I'll  blow  your  brains  out!"* 
he  exclaimed.  There  was  no  choice.  They  were  shown 
into  the  parlor ;  the  books  were  prepared,  and  the  cere- 
mony was  performed;  the  lady  afterwards  protesting 
that  she  was  surprised  and  terrified  into  acquiescence. 

Another  ball  given  by  Colonel  Cruden,  who  then 
had  the  spacious  mansion  of  General  Pinckney,  on  East 
Bay,  was  long  remembered  as  the  greatest  display  of  the 
season.  The  illuminations  were  brilliant,  the  gardens 
being  absolutely  draped  with  light.  At  the  end  of 
every  avenue  the  lights  were  multiplied  from  pyramidal 
lusters  of  steel  bayonets,  burnished  muskets,  and  sabers 
grouped  in  stars  and  crescents.  The  guests  were  nu- 
merous, and  invited  from  both  parties.  Rousing  bowls 
of  punch  furnished  refreshment,  and  from  one  splendid- 

*  Mr.  W.  G-.  Sirnms. 


186  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

ly  enameled  vase  on  a  table,  which  held  several  gallons, 
it  was  served  in  large  cups  of  filagreed  china.  An  inci- 
dent that  occurred  gave  occasion  for  sundry  witticisms; 
Miss  Mary  Roupell  was  leaning  against  a  window-seat, 
when  the  sash  fell  heavily  upon  her  wrist.  She  swooned 
with  the  pain.  A  Mr.  Stock,  in  his  anxiety  to  revive 
her,  seized  the  mammoth  bowl  of  punch,  and  threw  its 
contents  over  her  face.  Major  Barry  wrote  the  follow- 
ing epigram  on  the  occasion :  — 

"  When  fair  Roupell  lay  fainting  in  her  pain, 
'  Oh,  what,'  cry  all,  '  will  bring  her  to  again  ?' 
1  What ! — what  1'  says  Stock,  '  but  punch — a  draught  divine  1 
'Twill  ease  her  pain:  it  always  conquered  mine  1'  " 

Rebecca  Motte,  celebrated  for  her  heroic  conduct  in 
giving  Lee  the  bow  and  arrows  to  fire  her  dwelling  when 
it  was  occupied  by  the  -British,  was  the  daughter  of 
Robert  Brewton,  and  was  married  in  1758.  Her  two 
eldest  daughters  married,  in  succession,  General  Thomas 
Pinckney ;  the  third  was  the  wife  of  Colonel  William 
Alston,  of  Charleston.  Her  descendants  are  among  the 
most  distinguished  families  in  South  Carolina.  They 
cherish  her  name  with  pride  and  affection,  regarding  her 
fame  as  a  rich  inheritance.  She  died  in  1815,  at  her 
plantation  on  the  Santee. 

Mrs.  Gibbes,  the  wife  of  Robert  Gibbes,  lived  in  a 
beautiful  house  near  Stono  River,  on  St.  John's  Island, 
two  hours  sail  from  Charleston.  The  extensive  lawn, 
the  river  walks,  the  live  oaks  and  orange-trees,  and 
flower-gardens,  were  pleasant  adjuncts  ;  and  "  Peaceful 


MRS.   GIBBES.— MRS.    ELLIOTT.  187 

.Retreat"  was  the  seat  of  elegant  hospitality.  Every 
luxury  art  could  furnish  was  added  to  the  beauties  of 
natural  scenery,  and  a  cultivated  taste  presided  over  all. 
The  fame  of  this  noble  country-place  induced  some  of 
the  British  to  resolve  to  transfer  themselves  into  such 
desirable  quarters,  and  one  night  they  landed  with  the 
intention  of  forming  their  establishment.  Mrs.  Gibbes 
hastily  dressed  herself  and  the  children,  her  husband 
being  a  cripple  from  gout,  and  prepared  to  receive  the 
enemy.  When  the  soldiers  advanced,  the  door  was 
thrown  open,  discovering  the  invalid  surrounded  by  his 
helpless  family.  During  the  stay  of  the  intruders,  Mrs. 
Gibbes  continued  to  preside  at  her  table,  with  a  digni- 
fied courtesy  that  kept  the  rudest  in  reverence.  When 
the  American  authorities  sent  two  galleys  to  dislodge 
the  British,  she  removed  her  family  in  haste  to  a  planta- 
tion three  miles  distant.  The  heroic  conduct  of  her 
eldest  daughter,  who  went  back  to  save  a  child,  and 
carried  him  in  her  arms  through  the  fire  of  the  soldiery, 
has  been  the  theme  of  song  and  story.*  Mrs.  Gibbes 
had  a  house  in  Charleston,  but  during  the  latter  years 
of  her  life  resided  at  Wilton,  the  country-seat  of  Mrs 
Barnard  Elliott. 

The  name  of  Mrs.  Barnard  Elliott  is  familiar  in 
South  Carolina.  Her  maiden  name  was  Susannah 
Smith ;  she  was  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  Smith, 
Speaker  of  the  Provincial  Assembly.  In  June,  1776, 

*  See  "Women  of  the  American  Revolution"  for  a  memoir,  with 
details  of  the  incident. 


188  QUEENS  OF   AMEEICAN  SOCIETY. 

she  presented  two  standards  of  richly  embroidered  colors 
to  Colonel  Moultrie's  regiment  of  infantry,  with  an  ap- 
propriate speech,  and  received  thanks.  One  of  these 
was  planted  by  Jasper  on  the  works  before  Savannah, 
three  years  afterwards ;  the  gallant  soldier  received  his 
death-wound,  and  sent  a  message  to  Mrs.  Elliott  that  he 
had  lost  his  life  supporting  her  colors. 

Susannah  was  an  orphan  heiress,  and  brought  up  by 
her  aunt,  Eebecca  Motte,  of  patriotic  memory.  The 
niece  also  gave  her  sympathies  and  efforts  to  her  coun- 
try's cause.  General  Greene  acknowledged  her  services. 
She  was  a  beauty,  and  a  universal  favorite  both  before 
and  after  her  marriage.  Many  anecdotes  of  her  heroic 
spirit  and  patriotism  are  related,  which  are  given  in 
another  work. 

A  beauty  and  leader  in  social  circles,  who  had  a 
picturesque  life,  was  Sabina,  the  wife  of  William  Elliott. 
Their  family  residence — "Accabee,"  seven  miles  from 
Charleston — was  noted  during  the  war  as  a  place  of 
refuge.  Its  garden  and  lawn  extended  to  Ashley 
River ;  the  grounds  were  shaded  by  magnificent  live 
oaks,  decorated  with  the  floating  silvery  moss  peculiar 
to  the  Southern  lowlands.  There,  too,  were  the  grace- 
ful fringe-tree,  and  the  magnolia  grandiflora,  with  other 
ornamental  trees  in  front  and  on  either  side  the  mansion. 
The  rear  portico  looked  on  an  avenue  of  flowering  locusts 
nearly  a  mile  long.  In  the  spacious  hall,  a  circular 
flight  of  stairs  led  to  Mrs.  Elliott's  study.  This  charm- 
ing country-seat  was  her  residence  in  the  winter  and 


MRS.   LEWJ3   MORRIS.  189 

early  spring ;  her  summers  were  passed  at  Johnson's 
Fort,  on  John's  Island. 

The  eldest  daughter  of  Mrs.  Elliott  became  the  wife 
of  Daniel  linger ;  the  youngest,  Ann,  married  Colonel 
Lewis  Morris,  eldest  son  of  Lewis  Morris,  of  Morrisania, 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
Ann  Elliott  was  born  at  Accabee.  She  was  an  ardent 
patriot,  and  was  called  by  the  British  "the  beautiful 
rebel."  "While  the  British  had  possession  of  Charleston, 
she  wore  a  bonnet  decorated  with  thirteen  small  plumes. 
Kosciusko  was  her  admirer  and  correspondent.  The 
second  son  of  a  noble  English  family  became  so  enam- 
ored of  her  that  he  offered  to  join  the  American  army ; 
but,  though  he  besought  friends  to  intercede,  she  refused 
him  and  his  gifts  with  scorn.  She  saved  the  life  of 
Colonel  Morris  when  her  house  was  visited  by  the  Black 
Dragoons  in  search  of  him. 

Colonel  and  Mrs.  Morris  owned  a  cotton  plantation 
on  the  Edisto  River,  four  miles  from  Charleston,  called 
the  "  The  Round  O."  They  had  also  a  residence  upon 
Sullivan's  Island.  Mrs.  Morris  was  one  of  the  belles 
distinguished  at  the  levees  of  the  first  President,  and  at 
the  "  Republican  Court."  During  the  latter  part  of  her 
life  she  lived  at  Morrisania.  She  died  in  New  York,  in 
1848,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six. 

Jane  Elliott  married  Colonel  Washington,  whom  she 
first  saw  as  a  wounded  prisoner,  while  engaged  in  the 
supervision  of  the  hospital.  She  was  the  only  child  of 
Charles  Elliott,  of  St.  Paul's  parish.  Gifted  with  beauty 


190  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

and  wealth,  her  frank  and  winning,  yet  dignified  man- 
ners, and  noble  character,  gained  general  admiration. 
Political  friend  and  foe  alike  paid  homage  to  her  charms. 
Major  Barry  addressed  a  poem  "  To  Jane  Elliott,  play- 
ing the  guitar."  commencing  thus : — 


"  Sweet  harmonist !  -whom  nature  triply  arms 
With  virtue,  beauty,  music's  j  owerful  charms; 
Say,  why  combined,  when  each  resistless  power 
Might  mark  its  conquest  to  the  fleeting  hour?" 


Her  marriage  to  Washington  took  place  in  1782. 
Her  residence  was  the  family  seat,  "  Sandy  Hill,"  in 
South  Carolina.  She  died  at  sixty-six,  in  1830. 

Anna  Elliott  was  the  daughter  of  the  brave  patriot 
Thomas  Ferguson.  She  labored  for  her  country,  and 
was  an  angel  of  mercy  to  the  poor  and  afflicted.  Her 
power  of  fascination,  even  over  enemies,  was  remarkable. 
Many  favors  were  granted  at  her  request  by  British 
officers,  while  they  held  Charleston.  Tradition  preserved 
her  reply  to  a  royal  officer  in  her  garden,  when  he  asked 
the  name  of  a  flower :  "  The  rebel  flower,"  she  answered. 
"  Why  so  called  ?"  he  asked.  "  Because  it  always  flour- 
ishes most  when  trampled  on." 

When  Ferguson  was  banished,  his  daughter,  whose 
nature  was  all  impulse  and  feeling,  came  to  Charleston, 
and  obtained  leave  to  accompany  him.  She  went  on 
board  the  ship,  and  strove  to  cheer  and  encourage  her 
father ;  but  her  feelings  overcame  her,  and  she  fainted  in 
the  cabin. 


MRS.    CALHOUtf.  i91 

The  mother  of  John  C.  Calhoun  was  Martha  Cald- 
well,  whose  parents  emigrated  to  Virginia  about  1749. 
They  were  descended  from  French  Huguenots.  Martha, 
with  Patrick  Calhoun,  her  husband,  lived  in  Abbeville, 
South  Carolina.  Her  sister,  Elizabeth  Caldwell,  was  a 
sufferer,  with  her  mother,  in  the  perils  and  persecutions 
of  the  Revolution.  She  married  Robert  Gillam,  and 
lived  to  a  great  age,  residing  with  her  son,  General 
James  Gillam.  She  and  other  members  of  the  Caldwell 
family  were  very  prominent  in  society.  John  C.  Cal- 
houn, in  1811,  married  Floride  Calhoun,  the  daughter 
of  John  Ewing  Calhoun,  his  cousin,  a  former  United 
States  senator  from  South  Carolina.  She  brought  him 
an  accession  of  fortune. 


Esther  Wake  was  the  sister  of  Lady  Tryon,  the  wife 
of  Governor  Tryon,  of  North  Carolina.  These  two 
lovely  and  accomplished  women  exercised  great  influ- 
ence, not  only  in  society,  but  in  matters  of  State.  The 
Governor's  dinners  were  princely ;  the  fascinations  of 
the  ladies  irresistible ;  and  they  helped  to  sustain  the 
Executive  authority.  It  was  owing  to  their  endeavors 
that  a  grant  was  obtained  from  the  Assembly  for  build- 
ing a  splendid  palace ;  and  when  the  name  of  Tryon 
County  was  discarded,  on  account  of  the  loyalism  of 
those  who  bore  it,  the  resolution  to  alter  that  of  Wake 
was  rejected  by  acclamation.  Thus  the  county  in  which 
Raleigh  is  situated  is  consecrated  in  popular  remem- 


192  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

brance  by  association  with  the  memory  of  beauty  and 
virtue. 

Margaret  Gaston,  the  mother  of  Judge  Gaston,  of 
North  Carolina,  was  born  in  England,  about  1755,  and 
educated  in  a  French  convent.  While  on  a  visit  in 
North  Carolina,  she  met  Dr.  Alexander  Gaston,  and 
was  married  to  him  at  the  age  of  twenty.  He  was  bar- 
barously killed  by  the  tories,  in  1781.  The  widow  had 
thenceforth  but  one  object  in  life — the  education  of  her 
son.  Her  piety  and  lovely  character  gave  her  the  high- 
est appreciation  in  North  Carolina. 

Mrs.  Wilie  Jones  was  the  daughter  of  Colonel  Mount- 
fort,  and  was  conspicuous  in  society,  being  said  to  be 
"  loved  enthusiastically  by  every  being  who  knew  her." 
Born  to  ample  fortune,  she  dispensed  it  with  munifi- 
cence, and  an  elegant  hospitality  rarely  seen  in  a  new 
country.  She  was  charitable,  and  had  a  "  native  nobili- 
ty of  soul."  The  famous  reply  to  Tarleton,  when  he 
sneeringly  expressed  a  wish  to  see  the  rebel  colonel, 
Washington,  that  he  ought  to  have  looked  behind  him 
at  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens,  has  been  attributed  both  to 
her  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Ashe.  Mrs.  Jones  died  in  1828. 
Mrs.  Long  (Miss  McKinney)  was  the  wife  of  Colonel 
Nicholas  Long,  commissary-general  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina forces.  She  possessed  great  energy  and  high  mental 
endowments,  and  was  greatly  admired  by  the  officers  on 
both  sides. 

Mrs.  Ealph  Izard,  in  her  youth,  was  noted  as  a 
beauty  in  the  gayest  circles  of  New  York  society.  She 


THE  DE  LANCET  FAMILY.          193 

was  the  daughter  of  Peter  De  Lancey,  of  Westchester, 
grand-daughter  to  Etienne  De  Lancey,  a  Huguenot  no- 
bleman, who  came  to  America  in  1686.  Many  women 
of  this  distinguished  family  married  eminent  men. 
Susan,  daughter  of  Colonel  Stephen  De  Lancey,  married 
Lieutenant-Colonel  William  Johnson,  and  afterwards 
Lieutenant-General  Sir  Hudson  Lowe,  and  was  the  beau- 
tiful Lady  Lowe  praised  by  Bonaparte.  Charlotte  mar- 
ried Sir  David  Dundas  ;  another  of  the  family,  Sir  Wil- 
liam Draper.  In  later  years,  one  of  them  became  the 
wife  of  J.  Fennimore  Cooper.  Alice  married  Ralph 
Izard,  of  Charleston,  a  gentleman  of  accomplishments 
and  liberal  fortune,  in  1767.  He  took  his  bride  to 
Europe,  and  lived  in  Paris  some  time;  his  family  re- 
maining abroad  till  peace  was  concluded.  The  old 
family  residence,  "  The  Elms,"  in  South  Carolina,  was 
noted  for  their  liberal  hospitality.  During  the  illness  of 
her  husband,  Mrs.  Izard  managed  -his  large  estate  and 
wrote  his  business  letters,  besides  taking  care  of  three 
families  of  children.* 

*  A  fair  relative  of  General  "Washington  had  a  very  remarkable  expe- 
rience. Born  of  wealthy  parents,  in  Virginia,  she  was  a  widow  at  seven- 
teen, living  with  her  father,  who  had  lost  fortune  and  emigrated  to 
Florida.  His  home  was  a  log  cabin  with  two  rooms,  in  the  unbroken 
solitude  of  a  primeval  forest.  Colonel  Gadsden  was  a  neighbor,  and  often 
spoke  of  his  friend — the  Prince  Achille  Murat— exiled,  with  a  price  set  on 
his  head,  living  like  a  hermit  on  his  plantation.  He  was  introduced  at 
length,  and  became  enamored  of  the  beautiful  Kate.  After  some  months 
she  was  married  to  the  son  of  the  Neapolitan  monarch,  the  consent  of  his 
exiled  family  having  been  obtained.  Madame  Murat  took  the  manage- 
ment of  the  plantation.  In  the  Florida  war  Murat  had  the  friendship  of 
an  Indian  chief,  who  was  accustomed  to  come  at  night,  build  a  fire  in  his 


194  QUEEXS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

dwelling,  and  stay  till  morning.  "You  and  your  squaw  safe,"  he  would 
say,  when  they  trembled  at  the  terrible  deeds  they  witnessed.  Twenty- 
five  years  after  the  marriage  Murat  died ;  but  the  princess  continued  to 
live  on  her  Florida  property,  among  her  slaves  ;  attending  to  the  hospitals 
during  the  war,  and  selling  her  jewels  to  feed  the  destitute.  Afterwards 
she  visited  England  and  France,  and  was  received  by  the  Emperor  and 
Eugenie ;  returning  to  the  gardens  and  fields  of  her  beloved  Southern 
home. 


BELLES  OF  THE   WEST.  195 


IX. 


ABOUT  1779,  Governor  Caswell,  of  North  Carolina, 
appointed  Isaac  Shelby  lieutenant-colonel  (Anthony 
Bledsoe  being  colonel)  of  the  military  company  of  Sul- 
livan County.  When  Shelby  returned  from  Kentucky, 
he  became  the  affianced  husband  of  Miss  Susan  Hart,  a 
celebrated  belle  among  the  western  settlements  at  that 
time.  He  took  command,  soon  after,  of  the  gallant  vol- 
unteers who  encountered  the  forces  of  Ferguson  at 
King's  Mountain,  October  7,  1780,  and,  coming  home 
crowned  with  the  victor's  wreath,  found  that  his  be- 
trothed had  gone  with  her  brother  to  Kentucky,  leaving 
for  him  no  invitation  to  follow  her.  A  lively  little 
damsel  was  Sarah,  the  daughter  of  Colonel  Bledsoe,  and 
as  the  young  officer  spent  much  time  at  her  father's,  she 
often  rallied  him  on  his  dejection  at  this  cruel  desertion. 
Shelby  would  reply  by  expressing  resentment  at  the 
treatment  he  had  received  at  the  hands  of  the  fair 
coquette,  and  protesting  that  he  would  not  follow  her, 
nor  ask  her  of  her  father ;  he  would  wait  for  little  Sarah 
Bledsoe,  a  far  prettier  bird  than  the  one  that  had  flown 
away.  The  flippant  maiden,  then  some  thirteen  years 
old,  would  laughingly  return  his  banter  by  saying,  "  he 
had  better  wait,  indeed!  and  see  if  he  could  win  Miss 


196  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Bledsoe,  who  could  not  win  Miss  Hart!"  The  arch 
damsel  was  not  wholly  in  jest ;  for  a  youthful  kinsman 
of  the  officer — David  Shelby,  a  lad  of  seventeen  or 
eighteen,  who  had  fought  by  Isaac's  side  at  King's 
Mountain — had  already  captivated  her  merry  fancy. 
She  remained  true  to  this  early  love.  The  gallant 
colonel,  who  had  threatened  infidelity  to  his,  did  actu- 
ally, notwithstanding  his  protestations,  go  to  Kentucky 
the  following  year,  seek  out  Miss  Susan  Hart,  and 
marry  her.  She  made  him  a  faithful  and  excellent 
wife. 

"Little  Sarah"  Bledsoe  married  David  Shelby  in 
1784,  and  had  her  home  in  the  midst  of  the  wilderness 
of  Cumberland  valley.  Shelby  established  himself  as 
the  first  merchant  in  Nashville,  in  1790.  He  afterwards 
removed  to  Sumner  County ;  maintaining  a  high  and 
honorable  position,  and  giving  valuable  aid  in  building 
up  the  new  State,  in  which  his  wife  took  her  part. 
Her  history,  indeed,  would  embrace  that  of  Tennessee. 
The  names  of  Bledsoe,  Shelby,  Sevier,  Robertson,  Bu- 
chanan, Rains,  and  Wilson,  are  conspicuous  in  the 
country's  annals;  and  amid  the  toil  and  heroic  deeds 
that  have  made  them  celebrated,  no  woman  did  her 
share  more  nobly  than  Mrs.  Shelby.  She  lived  to  see 
the  helpless  colony  increase  to  a  goodly  State  ;  residing, 
for  the  last  twenty  years  of  her  life,  with  her  son,  Dr. 
Shelby,  at  his  beautiful  country-seat,  "  Faderland,"  near 
Nashville.  Here  she  received  and  conversed  with  all 
interested  in  the  early  history  of  that  region,  and  daily 


MRS.   SEVIER.  197 

exhibited  the  beauty  of  an  earnest  u  walk  by  faith." 
She  died  in  1852,  aged  eighty-six. 

The  wife  of  the  first  Governor  of  Tennessee — the 
lady  of  "  Ilium  Grove  " — is  worthy  of  a  record.  Cathe- 
rine Sherrill  came  with  her  father's  family,  in  one  of  the 
pioneer  parties,  from  the  banks  of  Yadkin,  North  Caro- 
lina, across  the  rugged  mountains,  to  seek  new  homes  in 
the  valley  of  the  "Watauga.  Mr.  Sherrill's  residence  was 
on  the  Nola  Chucka,  and  known  as  "Daisy  Fields." 
The  station  was  attacked  by  the  Indians  in  1TY6;  and 
among  the  flying  women  who  were  pursued  by  them  was 
Miss  Catherine  Sherrill,  whose  family  had  removed  for 
safety  to  the  fort  only  the  day  before.  The  young  lady 
was  distinguished  for  courage  and  fleetness;  it  was  said 
she  could  outrun  and  outleap  any  other  woman  ;  "  could 
walk  more  erect,  and  ride  more  gracefully  and  skilfully 
than  any  other  in  all  the  mountains  round  about."  On 
this  occasion  she  did  ''run  her  best."  Her  figure  was 
tall  and  straight,  and  her  appearance  was  such  as  to 
attract  the  special  notice  and  pursuit  of  the  savages. 
They  intercepted  the  direct  path  to  the  fort,  and  she  was 
compelled  to  make  a  circuit,  with  a  view  of  scaling  the 
walls  or  palisades.  At  her  first  attempt,  some  one  with- 
in the  defenses  tried  to  assist  her;  but  his  foot  slipped, 
or  the  object  on  which  he  stood  gave  way,  and  both  fell 
to  the  ground  on  opposite  sides  of  the  inclosure.  The 
Indians  were  close  at  hand,  and  determined  to  capture 
the  maiden.  She  said :  "  Their  bullets  and  arrows  came 
like  hail :  it  was  now  leap  the  wall  or  die,  for  I  would 


198  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

not  live  a  captive !"  She  sprang,  and  in  a  moment  was 
over,  and  within  the  defenses,  "by  the  side  of  one  in 
uniform."  It  was  Captain  John  Sevier,  and  this  was 
her  first  sight  of  her  future  husband.  Sevier  was  then 
married ;  but  his  wife  died  in  1779,  and  in  the  follow 
ing  year  he  married  Miss  Sherrill.  Their  happy  unior- 
lasted  forty  years.  Sevier  had  selected  an  estate  on  the 
Watauga  and  Nola  Chucka,  and  it  received  the  name  of 
"Plum  Grove."  Mrs.  Sevier  devoted  herself  to  the 
duties  of  her  station  as  mistress  of  a  large  household. 
Then  the  women  did  not  disdain  the  employments  of 
spinning,  weaving,  and  making  up  most  of  the  clothes 
worn  by  backwoods  people;  and  all  young  girls  were 
taught  how  to  do  such  things.  Mrs.  Sevier's  first  work 
after  marriage  was  to  make  the  suits  worn  by  her  hus- 
band and  his  three  sons  at  the  battle  of  King's  Moun- 
tain ;  and  she  often  said,  "  Had  his  ten  children  been 
sons,  and  old  enough  to  serve  in  that  expedition,  I  could 
have  fitted  them  out."  She  became  the  mother  of  eight 
children. 

Colonel  Sevier's  life  was  one  of  incessant  action  and 
contest.  He  took  a  principal  part  in  the  Indian  wars  of 
East  Tennessee,  in  the  settlement  of  the  country,  and 
the  organization  of  the  State  government.  The  Indian 
prisoners  captured  by  him — at  one  time  thirty  in  num- 
ber— were  taken  care  of  in  his  own  house.  Mrs.  Sevier's 
influence  over  them  was  salutary.  When  tories  threat- 
ened invasion,  she  would  not  leave  her  home  to  seek 
refuge  in  a  block-house.  "  The  wife  of  John  Sevier 


MRS.    SEVIER.  199 

knows  no  fear,"  she  was  accustomed  to  say.  The  respect 
she  manifested  for  her- husband,  and  her  own  womanly 
dignity,  had  a  favorable  influence  in  promoting  both  his 
zeal  and  usefulness  in  the  public  service.  She  relieved 
him  of  all  home  cares.  At  one  time  the  tories,  infuri- 
ated against  him,  came  to  take  him  prisoner,  determined 
to  hang  him ;  and  when  Mrs.  Sevier  refused  to  inform 
them  where  he  was,  threatened  to  shoot  her  if  she  per- 
sisted in  her  silence.  "  Shoot !  shoot !"  she  exclaimed, 
in  defiance ;  "  I  am  not  afraid  to  die.  But  remember, 
while  there  is  a  Sevier  upon  the  earth,  my  blood  will 
not  be  unavenged !"  She  proved  her  ability  to  defend 
her  property  on  more  than  one  occasion.  She  was  lib- 
eral and  charitable  to  the  poor,  and  always  welcomed 
the  sick  and  wounded  to  the  care  and  nursing  she  gave 
the  soldiers.  Many  of  the  Colonel's  Indian  expeditions 
were  fitted  out  and  supplied  by  her  exertions  with  money 
and  provisions. 

In  1784,  occurred  the  scenes  of  the  "  State  of  Frank- 
land,"  a  name  given  by  the  people  of  East  Tennessee  to 
a  separate  and  independent  government,  organized  in 
consequence  of  dissatisfaction  with  the  condition  of 
affairs  under  North  Carolina.  John  Sevier  was  the  first 
and  last  governor  of  the  new  State.  The  establishment 
of  this  little  republic  was  regarded  as  no  less  than  a 
declaration  of  revolt  by  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina, 
and  those  concerned  in  it  were  sternly  commanded  to 
return  to  their  allegiance  and  duty.  In  the  conflict  of 
authorities,  and  the  civil  and  personal  contests  that  grew 


200  QUEENS  OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

out  of  this  state  of  things  in  the  revolted  territory,  the 
prudent  and  judicious  conduct  of  Mrs.  Sevier  added  to 
her  husband's  reputation  and  popularity.  Their  house 
was  a  place  of  general  resort ;  being  known  to  be  open 
freely  to  all  friends  of  the  rights  of  self-defense  and  inde- 
pendence. All  who  came  for  counsel  or  aid  were  deeply 
impressed  by  Mrs.  Sevier's  dignity  and  noble  bearing. 
Measures  of  adjustment  were  at  last  adopted.  This 
gave  some  offense,  and  Governor  Sevier  was  entrapped 
and  carried  off  by  enemies  into  North  Carolina.  His 
wife,  with  a  courage  and  daring  few  women  could  have 
shown,  promptly  raised  up  friends  who  rescued  him. 
When,  after  those  scenes  were  past,  he  was  called,  again 
and  again,  by  the  unanimous  voice,  to  preside  as  gov- 
ernor over  the  State  of  Tennessee,  and  when  he  was 
elected  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  then  did 
her  great  heart  swell  with  thankfulness,  as  she  acknow- 
ledged that  she  had  not  endured  peril,  toil,  and  sacrifice 
in  vain.  During  the  twelve  years  that  he  was  Governor 
of  Tennessee,  she  made  his  home  delightful ;  a  place  of 
repose  for  the  weary,  an  asylum  for  the  afflicted ;  known 
far  and  wide  as  "  the  hospitable  mansion  of  the  people's 
favorite."  This  admirable  woman  was  self-educated.  She 
said :  "  I  picked  up  a  good  deal  from  observation  of  men 
and  their  acts,  for  that  was  a  business  with  us  in  the 
early  settlements."  She  was  the  instructor  of  her  chil- 
dren. Her  own  time  was  always  filled  up  with  employ- 
ment of  some  kind ;  she  plied  her  knitting- work  while 


MRS.   SEVIER.  201 

in  conversation,  and  always  wore  a  bunch  of  bright  keys 
at  her  side. 

After  the  death  of  Governor  Sevier,  in  1815,  his 
widow  removed  to  Overton  County,  in  Middle  Tennes- 
see, where  most  of  her  children  lived.  Her  retired  resi- 
dence was  in  a  romantic  and  secluded  spot — about  ten 
or  fifteen  acres — on  a  high  bench  or  spur  of  one  of  the 
mountains,  a  few  miles  from  Obed  Kiver.  A  bold 
stream  flung  its  waters  down  the  mountain,  and  a  dense 
wood  shaded  the  spring  near  the  house.  Mrs.  Sevier 
was  known  for  years  as  the  lady  of  "  The  Dale,"  seldom 
coming  down  from  her  eyrie ;  for  the  aged  eagle  had 
lost  her  mate,  and  she  breathed  the  air  nearest  heaven, 
among  the  lofty  oaks  on  the  heights.  Yet  she  was 
always  cheerful,  and,  in  her  pointed  and  expressive  lan- 
guage, would  often  relate  anecdotes  of  the  early  settlers. 
"With  some  pride  she  preserved  an  imported  carpet, 
which  had  been  presented  to  "the  first  governor's 
wife."  It  was,  indeed,  the  first  article  of  the  kind  ever 
laid  on  a  "puncheon,"  or  split  log  floor,  west  of  the 
Alleghanies.  It  was  usually  spread  out  when  company 
was  expected  ;  and  when  they  had  gone,  Susy  and  Jeff, 
the  servants,  dusted,  folded,  and  boxed  it  up.  Cleanli- 
ness and  order  reigned  in  the  abode,  and  "godliness 
with  contentment."  The  lady  herself  was  always,  neat 
and  tidy  ;  she  wore  a  white  cap  with  black  trimmings, 
and  sat  erect  as  a  statue,  with  her  feet  on  the  hearth- 
rug, her  work-stand  beside  her,  and  her  Bible  upon  it,  or 
on  her  lap.  The  governor's  hat  hung  on  the  wall.  She 

9* 


202  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

quitted  this  mountain  hermitage  only  when  her  last  son 
removed  to  Alabama ;  dying  in  1836,  in  Russelville,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-two. 

Ruth,  the  second  daughter  of  Governor  Sevier  by  his 
second  marriage,  was  born  at  "  Plum  Grove,"  in  that  | 
part  of  North  Carolina  now  known  as  East  Tennessee ; 
those  settlements  then  forming  the  extreme  borders  of 
the  country  inhabited  by  civilized  Americans.  During 
the  Indian  wars  in  which  Governor  Sevier  commanded 
the  troops,  and  was  acknowledged  as  "  the  friend  and 
protector  of  the  exposed  settlements,"  Ruth  evinced  a 
strong  interest  in  the  history  and  character  of  those 
warlike  tribes.  She  learned  the  Cherokee  language,  and 
won  favor  with  the  savages,  who  called  her  "  Chiicka's 
Rutha."  Her  form  was  of  rare  symmetry  ;  she  had  "  a 
face  and  a  figure  for  a  painter,"  and  never  stood,  sat,  or 
walked,  but  with  a  native  ease  and  grace  that  won 
admiration.  A  young  captive,  adopted  by  the  Indians, 
and  named  Shawtunk,  saw  and  loved  her,  and  won  her 
affections.  They  were  married,  and  Ruth  not  only 
taught  her  husband  the  elements  of  education,  but 
accompanied  him  to  military  posts  as  his  secretary ; 
making  out  his  reports,  and  performing  the  duties  of 
which  she  could  relieve  him.  In  Natchez  and  other 
towns  she  became  a  brilliant  belle  in  social  circles;  "the 
cynosure  of  neighboring  eyes"  for  her  beauty  and  un- 
limited influence.  She  was  married  a  second  time  to  a 
wealthy  planter  .of  Mississippi.  Their  residence  was  a 
beautiful  and  highly  improved  country-seat — "Burling- 


KENTUCKY  LADIES.  203 

ton'"—  within  view  of  Port  Gibson,  in  Mississippi.  Here 
were  entertained  a  continual  succession  of  visitors,  with 
hospitality  more  splendid  than  had  yet  been  seen  in  the 
western  country.  The  stately  abode  was  made  charm- 
ing by  the  cheerful  temper  and  genial  kindness  of  its 
mistress.  She  was  a  model  housewife,  and  had  all 
things  in  perfect  order,  while  showing  attention  to  her 
numerous  guests.  Her  death  occurred  in  1824,  while 
she  was  on  a  visit  to  Maysville,  Kentucky. 


One  of  the  pioneers  of  Kentucky — the  pride  of  her 
State,  and  celebrated  as  an  ornament  to  the  country — 
was  Anna,  the  widow  of  Hon.  Henry  Innis.  Her  early 
day?  were  passed  in  the  wild  woods,  and  yet  in  the 
society  of  such  men  as  Clark,  Wayne,  Shelby,  Scott, 
Boone,  Henderson,  Logan,  Breckenridge,  and  all  the 
great  and  heroic  spirits  of  the  West.  She  became  the 
chronicler  of  her  own  times,  interweaving  traditions  of 
the  past  with  her  narrative.  With  a  cheerful  disposi- 
tion and  a  powerful  intellect,  she  was  blessed  in  store 
and  in  the  children  given  her.  .  Her  daughter  was  the 
first  wife  of  Hon.  J.  J.  Crittenden.  She  died  at  Cedar 
Hill,  near  Frankfort,  in  1851. 

Another  eminent  daughter  of  Kentucky  was  the 
mother  of  General  Leslie  Combs.  Her  maiden  name 
was  Sarah  Richardson.  She  was  of  a  Quaker  family  in 
Maryland,  connected  with  the  Thomases  and  Snowdens. 
When  her  son  Leslie  started  as  a  volunteer  to  join  the 


204:  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Kentucky  troops  ordered  to  the  northern  frontier  under 
General  Winchester,  in  1812,  she  reminded  him  of  his 
father's  history  and  her  own  trials  and  dangers  in  the 
early  settlements ;  and  bade  him  "  die  rather  than  fail 
in  duty."  Her  residence  was  six  miles  from  Boones- 
borough. 

Charlotte  Eeeves,  the  wife  of  General  James  Robert- 
son, was  born  in  North  Carolina,  1751.  She  crossed  the 
mountains  and  shared  the  dangers  and  sufferings  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Tennessee.  Her  husband  was  the 
special  protector  of  the  infant  colony,  and  was  obliged 
to  make  long  and  arduous  journeys  every  winter  to 
attend  the  Legislature  in  North  Carolina.  Mrs.  Robert- 
son took  charge  of  the  family  and  maintained  their 
place  in  society.  Her  adventures  have  been  elsewhere 
recorded.*  In  1805  Nashville  is  said  to  have  had  but 
one  brick  house;  but  Mrs.  Eobertson  witnessed  its 
growth  to  a  large  town. 

The  name  of  Simon  Kenton,  in  the  annals  of  the 
early  pioneers,  stands  second  only  to  that  of  the  re- 
nowned woodsman,  Daniel  Boone.  A  county  of  Ken- 
tucky was  named  after  him,  and  the  incidents  of  his  life 
were  more  thrilling  than  any  romance.  Elizabeth,  his 
second  wife,  had  a  celebrity  different  from  that  of  the 
other  pioneer  women  of  the  West.  She  was  the  young- 
est daughter  of  Stephen  Jarboe,  a  Frenchman,  who 
removed  to  Kentucky  about  1796.  His  daughter  was 

*  "  Pioneer  "Women  of  the  West." 


MRS.    KENTON.  205 

then  seventeen,  and,  possessing  rare  attractions  of  per- 
son and  manners,  had  numerous  admirers.  She  was  tall 
and  graceful,  with  blue  *eyes  and  dark  hair.  Kenton,1 
the  hero  of  Indian  encounters,  saw  and  loved  and  laid 
siege  to  her.  They  were  married  at  Kenton's  Station  in 
1798.  They  removed  to  Cincinnati,  and  thence  to  the 
Mad  Eiver  country.  Their  adventures,  privations,  and 
perils  are  chronicled  elsewhere.*  In  their  pleasant 
home  they  did  as  much  as  any  one  else  in  Kentucky  to. 
stamp  the  character  of  the  State  for  liberal  hospitality. 
Kenton  was  extensively  known,  and,  possessing  large 
land-claims  in  Kentucky,  was  reputed  wealthy.  His 
house  was  the  resort  of  every  shelterless  emigrant,  sol- 
dier, or  land-hunter;  even  the  wandering  Indian  stopped 
there  for  the  supply  of  his  wants.  The  continual  influx 
of  visitors,  and  the  provisions  necessary  to  supply  their 
wants  and  those  of  a  large  family,  entailed  privations, 
which  Mrs.  Kenton  bore  with  cheerfulness  for  ten  years. 
In  1810  General  Kenton  removed  to  Urbana,  where  he 
lived  eight  years.  The  dishonesty  of  agents  and  various 
misfortunes  involved  him  in  trouble  and  lawsuits.  He 
was  reduced  from  opulence  to  poverty,  and  was  hunted 
like  a  felon,  arrested  and  imprisoned.  These  wrongs  and 
sufferings  embittered  the  life  of  Mrs.  Kenton.  In  1818, 
they  took  up  their  residence  on  some  wild  land  in  what 
is  now  Logan  County,  and  lived  simply,  remote  from 
those  who  had  thronged  around  them  in  days  of  pros- 

*  "  Pioneer  Women  of  the  "West."  i 


206  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

perity.  General  Kenton  died  in  1836.  His  wife  re- 
moved to  Indiana,  and  died  at  the  house  of  her  son-in- 
law  in  1842. 

Mrs.  Talbot,  of  Michigan,  the  daughter  of  Commo- 
dore Truxton,  was  a  celebrated  beauty,  and  in  advanced 
years  retained  the  dignified  manners  of  the  old  time. 
She  lived  on  her  farm  near  Pontiac,  in  an  ancient  log- 
house  embowered  in  eglantine ;  within,  however,  were 
evidences  of  refined  taste,  which  invested  with  dignity 
the  homeliest  materials. 

Louisa  St.  Clair  w*as  the  daughter  of  the  Governor  of 
the  Northwest  Territory.  He  removed  in  1790  from  his 
plantation,  "  Pott's  Grove,"  in  Pennsylvania,  to  Mariet- 
ta, Ohio.  Louisa  was  distinguished  among  the  ladies  of 
that  period  for  grace  and  beauty ;  and  possessed  indom- 
itable energy  and  a  strong  intellect  in  a  strong  frame. 
She  was  a  splendid  equestrian — fearless,  blooming,  and 
graceful — and  managed  the  most  spirited  horse  with 
perfect  ease,  dashing  at  full  gallop  through  the  open 
woodlands  of  the  West,  and  leaping  over  the  logs  in  her 
way.  In  skating  she  was  equally  expert ;  her  speed  and 
dexterity  were  unrivaled  ;  and  her  elegant  person  and 
neat  dress  were  shown  in  rapid  gyrations  over  the  broad 
frozen  surface  of  the  Muskingum,  close  to  the  garrison. 
In  short,  she  was  the  ideal  of  a  soldier's  daughter,  and  a 
model  huntress,  like  Diana,  loading  and  firing  with  the 
accuracy  of  a  backwoodsman.  With  all  these  masculine 
accomplishments,  and  that  of  being  a  tireless  walker, 
her  refined  manners  rendered  her  the  ornament  of  draw- 


BELLES   OF   THE   WEST.  207 

ing-room  circles.  Her  beauty  was  the  more  bewitching 
from  her  high  intellectual  culture ;  for  she  had  received 
the  best  education  Philadelphia  could  afford.  The  ath- 
letic exercise  of  the  country  strengthened  both  her  men- 
tal and  physical  powers,  and  her  rare  spirit  was  suited  to 
pioneer  times  and  manners.  After  the  Indian  war,  she 
returned  to  her  early  home  in  the  romantic  glens  of 
Ligonier  valley.  The  French  emigrants  who  came  from 
Paris  to  Marietta,  and  were  entertained  at  the  Govern- 
or's, wondered,  as  they  descended  the  Ohio  in  "  Kentucky 
arks "  or  flat-boats,  at  the  broad  rivers  and  vast  forests 
of  the  West ;  and  hardly  less  at  the  fearless  spirit  of  the 
daughters  of  the  land. 

Sarah  Sibley  was  Miss  Sproat,  the  daughter  of  a 
Revolutionary  officer.  She  was  born  at  Providence, 
Ehode  Island,  in  1782,  and  was  married  at  twenty  to 
Solomon  Sibley,  a  distinguished  lawyer  from  Massachu- 
setts, who  finally  fixed  his  home  in  Detroit.  The  fort 
there  was  garrisoned,  and  had  Southern  officers ;  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town  were  mostly  French ;  some 
descended  of  noble  families,  and  priding  themselves  on 
superior  refinement ;  these  formed  a  most  agreeable 
society.  The  families  of  British  merchants  living  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river  often  joined  in  their  gaye- 
ties.  For  six  months  in  the  year  they  were  -shut  off 
from  intercourse  with  the  outer  world  by  the  snows  and 
want  of  facilities  for  travel ;  depending  on  their  own 
limited  circle  for  amusement.  Mrs.  Sibley  went  in 
August,  1804,  to  visit  her  parents,  in  Marietta,  Ohio ; 


208  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

encamping  in  the  woods  on  her  journey,  and  keeping 
the  wolves  off  by  fires  at  night.  Her  horse  died  on  the 
way,  and  many  inconveniences  had  to  be  endured  before 
she  reached  her  destination. 

Detroit  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  June,  1805;  and 
Mr.  Sibley  was  obliged  to  fit  up  another  dwelling,  which 
he  and  his  family  occupied  thirty  years.  Mrs.  Sibley 
bore  a  heroic  part  in  the  scenes  of  the  war  of  1812,  and, 
some  years  after  the  peace,  again  visited  her  relatives  in 
Ohio.  During  the  whole  of  her  married  life  she  was  the 
centre  of  an  admiring  circle.  Her  height  was  command- 
ing, and  her  face  and  form  were  beautiful ;  she  possessed 
rare  intellectual  powers,  well  trained,  and  most  pleasing 
manners.  With  a  truly  noble  character,  rich  in  femi- 
nine graces,  she  was  the  object  of  profound  and  marked 
respect.  Her  husband  was  for  many  years  Judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan.  He  lived 
not  only  to  be  the  last  relic  of  the  ancient  Bar  of  Michi- 
gan proper — dating  back  to  1798 — but  the  last  remain- 
ing link,  in  that  State,  of  the  profession  in  the  present 
day  to  that  of  the  Northwest  Territory.  Judge  Sibley 
was  associated  with  General  Cass  in  negotiating  a  treaty 
with  the  Indians  by  which  the  Indian  title  to  Michigan 
was  extinguished.  He  was  successively  a  delegate  from 
the  Territory  to  Congress,  District  Attorney  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  and  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State 
of  Michigan. 

The  wife  of  Hon.  John  Walworth,  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  Lake  County,  Ohio,  shared  the  toils  and  pri- 


BELLES   OF  THE   WEST.  209 

vations  of  the  pioneers,  and  shone  conspicuous  in  hospi- 
tality, benevolence,  and  social  influence.  To  her  win- 
ning and  attractive  manners,  her  sprightliness  and 
vivacity,  must  be  attributed  the  resort  to  her  house  of 
the  polished  and  highly  respectable  in  the  community. 
Twice  she  traveled  on  horseback  to  the  farthest  part  of 
Connecticut  and  back,  to  visit  friends.  She  was  a  belle 
at  tlfe  first  ball  given  at  Cleveland,  July  4,  1801,  in 
Major  Carter's  log  cabin.  There  were  a  dozen  ladies 
and  fifteen  or  twenty  gentlemen ;  and  the  dancers  kept 
time  on  the  puncheon  floor  to  Major  Jones's  violin, 
refreshed  occasionally  by  sling  made  with  whisky  and 
maple-sugar.  The  dances  were  lively  and  hilarious ;  the 
"•  scamperdown  double-shuffle,"  "  western  swing,"  "  half 
moon,"  &c.,  &c. 

Kebecca  JJeald  was  the  daughter  of  Colonel  Wells, 
of  Kentucky,  and  the  wife  of  the  commander  of  Fort 
Dearborn,  Chicago — a  place  associated  with  the  scenes 
of  the  massacre  on  the  15th  August,  1812.  Near  the 
junction  of  Chicago  River  with  Lake  Michigan,  directly 
opposite  the  fort,  from  which  it  was  separated  by  the 
river  and  a  few  rods  of  sloping  green  turf,  stood  the 
dwelling  and  tracing  establishment  of  Mr.  John  Kinzie. 
On  the  7th  April,  1812,  while  he  was  playing  the  violin 
and  his  children  were  dancing,  his  wife  having  gone  up 
the  river  to  see  a  sick  neighbor,  another  neighbor  rushed 
in,  screaming,  "  The  Indians !  They  are  at  Lee's  place, 
killing  and  scalping !"  The  family  hurried  into  two  old 
pirogues,  moored  near,  and  paddled  across  the  river  to 


210-  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

the  Yort,  Early  in  August,  Captain  Heald  received 
orders  to  evacuate  the  fort,  and  started  to  obey ;  Mr. 
Kinzie  volunteering  to  accompany  the  troops,  and  leav- 
ing his  family  in  the  care  of  friendly  Indians,  who 
promised  to  convey  them  in  a  boat  round  the  head  of .. 
Lake  Michigan  to  a  point  on  St.  Joseph's  River.  The 
boat  had  scarcely  reached  the  mouth  of  the  river,  when 
a  second  message  from  the  chief  of  St.  Joseph's  band 
came  to  detain  them.  This  chief  had  already  warned 
Kinzie  that  mischief  was  intended  by  the  Pottowatta- 
mies,  who  had  promised  to  escort  the  detachment.  Mrs. 
Kinzie  was  a  woman  of  uncommon  strength  and  pres- 
ence of  mind,  with  rare  energy;  but  her  heart  died 
within  her  as  she  folded  her  arms  around  her  infant 
children,  and  saw  her  husband  and  eldest  son  marching 
to  almost  certain  destruction.  Mrs.  Heald  was  placed 
in  the  boat  with  Mrs.  Kinzie  and  her  children,  and 
covered  with  a  buffalo  robe,  silence  being  enjoined. 
The  boat  returned  to  Kinzie's  house,  and  the  family 
were  conveyed  from  the  Potto wattamie  encampment, 
closely  guarded  by  their  Indian  friends.  The  fort  was 
then  fired.  After  new  dangers  and  escapes,  the  family 
of  Kinzie  was  carried  to  St.  Joseph's,  and  afterwards  to 
Detroit. 

Mrs.  Helm  was  the  step-daughter  of  Mr.  Kinzie; 
her  mother,  the  widow  of  Colonel  McKillip,  having 
married  him  in  1803,  and  removed  with  him  to  Chicago, 
then  a  mere  trading-post  among  the  Pottowattamies. 
She  married  Lieutenant  Helm.  She  was  a  witness  to 


MRS.   KINZIE.  211 

the  terrible  attack  and  massacre.  Her  life  was  saved  by 
an  old  Indian,  who  dragged  her  into  the  lake,  and  when 
the  firing  subsided  led  her  up  the  sand-banks  into  a  wig 
warn.* 

Mrs.  Kinzie  was  the  danghter-in-law  of  John  Kinzie, 
the  earliest  resident  of  Chicago,  whose  trading  establish- 
ment, as  mentioned,  stood  near  the  junction  of  the  river 
with  the  lake.  At  that  time  the  peninsula  of  Michigan 
was  a  wilderness  peopled  with  savages,  with  only  one  or 
two  families  of  settlers  besides  the  garrison.  Many 
members  of  the  Kinzie  family  were  associated  with  the 
early  history  of  this  region. 

Mrs.  Kinzie  took  several  excursions  on  horseback 
through  the  primeval  forests  of  Illinois,  before  the 
pioneer  settlers  had  yet  penetrated  its  northern  portion. 
She  was  accustomed,  on  these  journeys,  to  camp  out  at 
night,  without  lodging  or  roof,  save  the  canopy  of 
heaven.  Her  home  was  fixed  in  Chicago,  where  she 
was  looked  up  to  with  high  respect  as  a  social  leadei 
and  a  woman  of  superior  endowments. 


The  residents  of  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  will  remem- 
ber as  a  remarkable  woman  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Allen,  who 
passed  her  later  days  in  that  village.  She  was  Miss 
Tate,  born  among  the  mountains  of  Yirginia,  and  was  so 
great  a  belle,  she  was  said  to  have  had  sixteen  offers  be- 


*  For  a  full  account,  see  "  Pioneer  "Women  of  the  "West." 


212  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

• 

fore  she  was  eighteen.  One  overforward  suitor,  riding 
home  among  the  mountains  from  the  burial  of  his  wife, 
overtook  Miss  Tate's  horse,  and,  riding  alongside,  ven- 
tured to  express  a  wish  that  she  would  consent  to  fill  the 
place  of  the  dear  departed.  The  young  lady  blushed 
with  indignation,  and  sternly  forbade  him  to  name  the 
subject  again  "  under  a  year."  When  the  year  had  ex- 
pired he  proposed,  and  was  rejected.  She  had  a  proud 
and  happy  bridal  in  the  Old  Dominion,  and  went  cheer- 
fully into  the  backwoods  of  the  West  with  her  husband, 
always  remembering  her  brilliant  girlhood,  and  often 
talking  of  it.  Her  gentle  dignity  and  force  of  character 
gave  her  unusual  influence,  and  her  habits  were  those 
of  a  matron  of  the  olden  time. 

Miss  Frances  Trask  figured  as  a  belle  of  the  early 
days  of  Washtenaw  County,  Michigan,  residing  in  Dix- 
boro'.  She  had  brilliant  natural  gifts,  well  cultivated. 
Her  accomplishments  were  unusual,  and  gave  her  ac- 
knowledged superiority,  which  was  maintained  by  her 
excellent  qualities  of  character.  She  had  great  force, 
energy,  and  decision ;  a  piquant  wit,  and  a  happy 
audacity  that  charmed  even  while  she  startled  the  pru- 
dence of  her  friends.  Greatly  admired  in  society,  she 
was  devotedly  charitable,  and  abundant  in  ministrations 
to  the  sick.  Like  other  maidens  in  that  wild  region, 
she  excelled  in  athletic  exercises;  was  accustomed  to 
fire  at  a  mark,  and  could  cut  off"  a  chicken's  head  at  an 
incredible  number  of  rods ;  could  ride  with  any  racer,  and 
was  the  sprightly  leader  at  picnics  and  pleasure  parties. 


,  JAMES 


MRS.  JAMES   K.  POLK.  213 


X. 


MKS.  POLK  was  born  in  Tennessee,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Captain  Joel  Childress.  She  was  a  pupil 
at  a  Moravian  Institute,  and  pursued  her  studies  for  two 
years  under  the  care  of  instructors  among  this  singular 
people.  Perhaps  the  quiet,  gentle,  benevolent  traits  of 
character  with  which  she  became  familiar  in  such  asso- 
ciation contributed  to  mould  her  own,  or  at  least  to 
encourage  the  growth  of  those  womanly  and  Christian 
virtues  for  which  in  after  life  she  was  distinguished,  and 
which  adorned  the  eminent  position  she  occupied. 

Soon  after  her  education  was  completed,  Miss  Chil- 
dress left  North  Carolina,  her  father  having  taken  up 
his  residence  in  Murfreesborough,  Tennessee.  Here,  in 
the  bloom  of  nineteen,  she  was  married  to  Mr.  James 
K.  Polk,  who  had  been  lately  elected  to  the  Tennessee 
Legislature.  In  1825  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Con- 
gress. During  fourteen  sessions  he  continued  a  National 
representative,  spending  the  winters  at  "Washington ; 
and  in  all  but  one  Mrs.  Polk  was  with  him.  Being 
often  appointed  the  chairman  of  important  committees, 
Mr.  Polk's  house  was  frequented  by  persons  of  political 
distinction  ;  while  the  estimable  qualities  of  Ms  wife 
drew  around  her  the  best  in  the  social  circles  of  the 


214  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

metropolis.  Among  their  visitors  were  many  illustrious 
persons,  whose  services  to  their  country  have  become 
historical,  besides  those  entitled  to  distinction  on  the 
score  of  intellectual  and  social  accomplishments.  All 
were  charmed  with  Mrs.  Polk  ;  and  her  womanly  grace 
and  dignity,  her  mild  and  amiable  temper,  her  reserved 
yet  winning  and  fascinating  manners,  crowned  with 
humble  and  fervent  piety,  impressed  all  who  were8 
acquainted  with  her,  and  exercised  a  widely  beneficial 
influence.  She  was  always  consistent  in  her  walk,  and 
governed  her  life  by  religious  precepts  rather  than  by 
regard  to  the  opinion  of  the  world.  She  was  eminently 
charitable,  and  it  is  said  that  no  applicant  worthy  of 
assistance,  or  engaged  in  any  work  of  true  benevolence. 
ever  failed  to  receive  aid  at  her  hands.  To  many 
objects  deserving  support,  her  donations  were  munifi- 
cent. These  good  deeds  were  always  performed  in  a 
manner  so  simple  and  unostentatious  that  others  either 
did  not  discover,  or  knew  little  of  them.  They  were  not 
for  the  voice  of  public  praise. 

Some  complimentary  verses  on  her  leaving  Wash- 
ington were  addressed  to  Mrs.  Polk,  in  February,  1839, 
by  the  eminent  jurist,  Hon.  Joseph  D.  Story,  and  showed 
his  friendly  regard.  In  that  year  Mr.  Polk  was  called 
to  fill  the  office  of  Governor  of  Tennessee.  Mrs.  Folk's 
devotion  to  his  interests  at  all  times,  her  spirit  of  concili- 
ation and  kindness,  and  the  attractive  graces  of  her  de- 
portment, had  an  important  influence,  not  only  on 
friends,  but  on  members  of  the  Legislature  opposed  to 


MRS.  JAMES   K.  POLK.  215 

the  governor.  Although  never  desirous  of  the  distinc- 
tion of  a  female  politician,  she  had  taken  great  pains  to 
make  herself  well  acquainted  with  public  affairs.  One 
who  knew  her  intimately,  said  there  were  few  days  in 

'  the  year  in  which  she  did  not  spend  a  certain  time  read- 
ing the  leading  journals  containing  the  grave  produc- 
tions of  superior  minds.  The  matter  which  only  healthy, 

'strong,  and  reflective  minds  could  comprehend  or  digest, 
was  always  preferred  by  her  to  the  light,  frivolous  litera- 
ture of  the  day.  Yet  she  rarely  conversed  on  the  sub- 
ject of  politics,  and  never  was  vehement  in  argument, 
or  heated  in  advocating  the  side  her  judgment  approved. 
When  James  K.  Polk  was  inaugurated  President  of 

.  the  United  States,  in  March,  1845,  the  home  of  his 
family  was  in  the  city  of  Washington.  Mrs.  Polk 
remained  with  him  during  the  four  years  of  his  adminis- 
tration, with  the  exception  of  the  summer  of  1847,  which 
she  passed  among  friends  in  Tennessee.  In  this  eminent 
station,  where  so  much  lies  in  the  power  of  a  true-heart- 
ed woman,  she  won  from  all  parties  not  only  approval, 
but  unqualified  admiration.  Wide  as  were  the  differ- 
ences of  opinion  relative  to  the  President,  visitors, 

•  friends,  opponents,  were  unanimous  in  their  praises  of 
the  grace  and  dignity  with  which  Mrs.  Polk  presided 
over  her  department.  A  lady's  letter  to  South  Carolina 
says :  "  She  is  one  of  our  sex  of  whom  I  feel  justly 
proud,  on  account  of  her  efficient  good  sense,  admirable 
tact,  experienced  judgment,  quiet  decision,  and  irre- 
proachable conduct,  during  her  husband's  whole  admin- 


216  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. - 

istration  ;  and  I  am  sure  that,  without  distinction  of 
party,  she  has  secured  the  unqualified  approbation  and 
good-will  of  every  person  who  has  visited  her  at  the 
White  House." — "  She  possesses,  in  a  remarkable  degree, 
kindness  of  feeling,  equanimity  of  temper,  good-humor, 
and  conversational  power,  with  affability  of  manner, 
and  firm  though  unobtrusive  determination  of  purpose. 
She  is  peculiarly  fitted  by  nature,  education,  and  exten- 
sive intercourse  with  the  best  society,  to  adorn  her  ele- 
vated station.  In  various  positions  she  has  always  been 
self-possessed  and  equal  to  the  occasion ;  being  easy 
without  familiarity,  and  dignified  without  restraint." 

Mrs.  Polk  partook  of  the  prejudices  of  many  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  would  not  permit 
dancing  or  cards  in  the  house  of  which  she  was  the 
mistress.  At  church  a  stranger  would  not  be  struck 
with  any  difference  in  her  dress  from  others  in  the  con- 
gregation ;  but,  the  same  writer  remarks,  "  at  her  grand 
levees,  in  full  dress,  she  is  a  most  imposing,  magnificent- 
looking  woman,  and  receives  her  numerous  guests  with 
grace,  eloquence,  and  charming  affability." — "She  dis- 
arms envy  by  her  unaffected  good  sense  and  good  feel- 
ing, and  fully  appreciates  the  folly  of  upstart  assump- 
tions of  aristocratic  superiority." — "  I  have  every  reason 
to  believe  that  when  her  husband  resigns  his  office,  she 
will  carry  with  her  into  retirement  the  unqualified 
respect  and  esteem  of  the  whole  American  people." 

Many  testify  to  Mrs.  Folk's  faculty  of  making  her- 
self popular  with  all  classes ;  it  might  emphatically  be 


MRS.  JAMES  K.  POLK.  217 

baid  of  her :  "  jSTone  named  her  but  to  praise."  Besides 
her  attractive  personal  appearance,  the  kindly  warmth 
of  her  manner  bespoke  heartfelt  sympathy.  A  visitor  at 
the  White  House,  at  a  levee  given  on  New  Year's  day, 
thus  describes  the  scene  and  Mrs.  Polk :  "  The  foreign 
courts  were  well  represented  in  the  imposing  splendor  of 
official  costumes  and  uniforms  shining  with  gold.  The 
audience-room  was  nearly  filled.  Many  ladies,  beauti- 
fully attired,  stood  near  the  wife  of  the  President ;  but 
among  them  all  I  should  have  selected  her  as  fitly  rep- 
resenting, in  person  and  manner,  the  dignity  and  grace 
of  the  American  female  character.  Modest,  yet  com- 
manding in  appearance,  I  felt  she  was  worthy  of  all  the 
admiration  which  has  been  lavished  on  her.  She  was 
richly  and  becomingly  dressed,  and  easy  and  affable  in 
deportment ;  looking,  indeed,  worthy  of  the  high  station 
which  Providence  had  assigned  her." 

Mrs.  Maury,  in  her  "Englishwoman  in  America," 
mentions  Mrs.  Polk  among  the  three  ladies  who  have 
shared  in  the  honors  of  the  presidency  whom  she  has 
seen.  "  Truly,"  she  says,  "  among  the  queens  w"hom  I 
have  seen,  net  one  could  compare  with  the  regal  grace 
of  Mrs.  Madison,  the  feminine,  distinguished  personnel 
of  Mrs.  Polk,  and  the  intelligent  and  ladylike *demean or 
of  Mrs.  Adams.  The  first  of  these  ladies  is  still,  at  the 
age  of  eighty- six,  eminently  beautiful,  with  a  complexion 
as  fresh  and  fair,  and  a  skin  as  smooth,  as  that  of  an 
English  girl.  Mrs.  Polk  is  a  very  handsome  woman. 
Her  hair  is  black,  and  her  dark  eyes  and  complexion 

10 


218  QUEENS  OP  AMEEICAN  SOCIETY. 

give  her  a  touch  of  the  Spanish  donna.  These  American 
ladies  are  highly  cultivated,  and  perfectly  accomplished 
and  practiced  in  the  most  delicate  and  refined  usages  of 
distinguished  society.  It  is  not  possible  to  observe  the 
affectionate  and  deferential  manner  of  Mrs.  Polk  towards 
the  august  lady  who  is  now  the  '  mother  of  the  republic,' 
without  feeling  for  each  the  warmest  admiration.  Mrs. 
Polk  is  very  well  read,  and  has  much  talent  for  conver- 
sation ;  she  is  highly  popular ;  her  reception  of  all  parties 
is  that  of  a  kind  hostess  and  an  accomplished  gentle- 
woman. She  has  excellent  taste  in  dress,  and  both  in 
the  morning  and  the  evening  preserves  the  subdued 
though  elegant  costume  which  characterizes  the  lady. 
She  is  ready  at  reply,  and  preserves  her  position  admira- 
bly. At  a  levee  a  gentleman  remarked :  '  Madam,  you 
have  a  very  genteel  assemblage  to-night.' — 'Sir,'  replied 
Mrs.  Polk,  with  perfect  good-humor,  but  very  signifi- 
cantly, '  I  have  never  seen  it  otherwise.' 

"  One  morning  I  found  her  reading.  '  I  have  many 
books  presented  to  me  by  the  writers,'  said  she,  '  and  I 
try  to  read  them  all ;  at  present  that  is  not  possible ;  but 
this  evening  the  author  of  this  book  dines  with  the 
President,  and  I  could  not  be  so  unkind  as  to  appear 
wholly  ignorant  and  unmindful  of  his  gift.'  I  wore  a 
brooch  in  which  was  contained  the  hair  of  my  husband 
and  children,  very  tastefully  displayed.  Mrs.  Polk  car- 
ried it  to  the  window,  read  the  names  of  the  '  eleven,' 
compared  their  hair,  and  asked  many  questions  about 


MRS.  JAMES   K.  POLK.  219 

them.     Saving  her  gracious  majesty,  I  could  have  put 
my  arms  around  her  neck  and  kissed  her." 

An  eloquent  poem  was  addressed  to  Mrs.  Polk  by 
the  accomplished  novelist,  Mrs.  Ann  S.  Stephens,  from 
which  we  give  a  brief  extract : — 

"  There,  standing  in  our  nation's  home, 

My  memory  ever  pictures  thee 
As  some  bright  dame  of  ancient  Rome, 

Modest,  yet  all  a  queen  should  be. 
I  love  to  keep  thee  in  my  mind, 

Thus  mated  with  the  pure  of  old, 
"When  love,  with  lofty  deeds  combined, 

Made  women  great  and  warriors  bold. 

"  When  first  I  saw  thee  standing  there, 

And  felt  the  pressure  of  thy  hand, 
I  scarcely  thought  if  thou  wert  fair, 

Or  of  the  highest  in  the  land; 
I  knew  thee  gentle — pure  as  great, 

All  that  was  lovely,  meek,  and  good ; 
And  so  I  half  forget  thy  state 

In  love  of  thy  bright  womanhood." 

Some  complaint  being  made  about  the  discontinu- 
ance of  dancing  at  the  White  House,  Mrs.  Polk  replied 
to  the  dissatisfied  ladies,  Ct  Why,  I  would  not  dance  in 
the  President's  house,  would  you?"  intimating  that  a 
more  private  drawing-room  was  a  more  suitable  place. 

With  her  strict  religious  views,  and  regular  attend- 
ance at  church,  Mrs.  Polk  was  free  from  austerity  or 
bigotry,  and  always  exercised  the  largest  charity  in  her 
judgment  of  others.  Her  life  was  directed  by  a  genuine 
Christian  faith,  out  of  which  grew  a  warm  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  those  she  knew ;  a  simple  spirit  of  charity. 


220  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

and  a  deep,  abiding  solicitude  for  the  advancement  of 
the  holy  cause  to  which  her  whole  being  had  been  early 
consecrated.  Influenced  thus  by  the  purest  and  highest 
motives,  her  conduct  was  at  all  times  exemplary,  and  it 
is  no  wonder  she  was  universally  regarded  as  "  a  perfect 
woman  nobly  planned,"  whose  name  was  always  asso- 
ciated with  what  is  lovely,  pure,  and  of  good  report — 
with  what  is  gracious  and  holy. 

Towards  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  Mr.  Folk's 
administration,  when  the  President  elect,  General  Tay- 
lor, came  to  Washington,  he  was  invited,  with  Yice- 
President  Fillmore,  to  dine  at  the  White  House,  and  all 
the  courtesies  usually  extended  to  the  new  chief  magis- 
trate were  shown  by  Mr.  Polk,  notwithstanding  the 
confusion  attending  his  breaking  up  housekeeping  and 
removal,  and  the  close  of  a  session  of  Congress.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Polk  left  the  White  House  the  evening  before 
the  new  President  entered  on  his  office.  On  the 
Wednesday  evening  previous,  the  house  had  been  thrown 
open  and  brilliantly  lighted  up  for  the  largest  levee  of 
the  season ;  General  Taylor  and  his  family  and  suite — a 
company  of  forty  persons,  belonging  to  both  political 
parties — having  been  entertained  at  dinner. 

The  life  of  Mrs.  Polk  was  un visited  by  any  deep  sor- 
row till  she  was  bereaved  of  the  husband  to  whom  she 
had  been  so  affectionately  devoted.  He  had  purchased, 
for  a  permanent  residence,  an  elegant  mansion,  sur- 
rounded by  extensive  grounds,  in  the  city  of  Nashville, 
Tennessee.  This  has  ever  since  been  the  home  of  his 


1TES.  JAMES   E.  POLK.  221 

widow.  Under  a  temple  in  the  grounds,  within  view 
from  the  side  windows,  is  the  tomb  of  President  Polk — 
a  plain  monument,  with  an  inscription  recording  the 
principal  events  of  his  history  and  the  posts  of  distinc- 
tion in  which  he  served  his  country.  This  place  is 
visited  by  many  citizens  and  travelers,  the  grounds 
being  kept  open  to  the  public.  A  room  in  the  house, 
occupied  by  the  President  as  a  study,  has  been  kept 
sacredly  in  the  same  condition  in  which  he  left  it ;  his. 
papers  laid  about,  his  pen  as  if  just  fallen  from  his  hand, 
and  every  thing  as  if  in  use  by  the  occupant^  The  deep 
sorrow  of  Mrs.  Polk  shrouded  the  house  as  well  as  her 
heart  in  mourning;  but  Time,  the  great  softener  of 
grief,  has  alleviated  the  first  anguish  of  her  loss,  and  the 
faith  of  a  fervent  Christian  looks  to  re-union  beyond  the 
grave.  When  a  large  number  of  members  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  called  upon 
her,  as  a  mark  of  respect  for  one  who  had  shared  the 
honors  of  the  nation's  chief  magistrate,  and  for  the  con- 
sistent Christian  example  she  had  maintained,  both  in 
her  high  position  and  in  her  secluded  retirement,  she 
invited  to  dinner  many  of  those  who  called,  and  won 
their  unfeigned  admiration  by  her  refined  and  graceful 
deportment,  and  the  deep  religious  spirit  evinced  in  her 
conversation.  It  was  known  that  while  presiding  at  the 
White  House  she  was  always  ready  to  receive  ministers 
of  the  gospel,  when  obliged  to  excuse  herself  from  other 
visitors. 

Rumors  prevailed  at  the  time  that  Mrs.  Polk  intended 


222  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

to  reside,  at  least  for  a  time,  in  Washington,  and  that  she 
had  visited  England  after  her  husband's  death ;  but  they 
were  without  foundation.  Nashville  is  her  chosen  home, 
and,  having  no  children,  she  sought  solace  in  the  society 
of  her  niece  and  adopted  daughter. 

The  Legislature  of  Tennessee  was  in  the  habit  of 
calling  in  a  body  on  Mrs.  Polk,  on  the  first  of  January  in 
every  year.  This  was  the  highest  compliment  ever  paid 
by  the  State  authorities  to  any  lady.  On  one  occasion, 
they  expressed  a  wish  to  pay  their  respects  on  the  22d 
of  February,  in  honor  of  the  anniversary  of  Washington's 
birthday.  Mrs.  Polk  received  and  entertained  them 
with  great  cordiality.  The  people  of  Tennessee  always 
manifested  gratification  at  this  mark  of  respect  paid  by 
their  representatives  to  the  distinguished  wife  of  one  of 
Tennessee's  greatest  statesmen. 

On  another  occasion,  various  military  companies, 
escorted  by  the  Union  Guards,  came  to  pay  their  respects, 
approaching  the  grounds  by  the  main  entrance,  and 
filing  through  them  in  front  of  the  house.  Such  genuine 
manifestations  of  esteem  and  sympathy  could  not  but  be 
pleasing  to  Mrs.  Polk.  But  she  was  always  careful  not 
to  show  any  marked  preference  at  such  times  for  the 
Democratic  party,  of  which  her  husband  had  been  so 
many  years  the  pride  and  support.  She  had  so  earnestly 
shared  his  sentiments,  that  it  was  natural  she  should 
ever  feel  a  lively  interest  in  the  success  of  the  Democracy 
and  a  wish  for  the  ascendency  of  its  principles:  yet, 
holding  inviolate  her  lady-like  reserve  and  her  sense  of 


MRS.   HUNTIXGTON.  223 

what  was  due  to  her  position,  she  could  not  distinguish 
between  parties  in  receiving  public  marks  of  respect. 


The  wife  of  Judge  Huntington,  of  Indiana,  was 
Susan,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Christopher  A.  Rudd,  a 
physician  of  eminence  in  Springfield,  Kentucky.  He 
was  of  the  Carroll  family  of  Maryland,  and  his  ancestors 
came  with  Lord  Baltimore.  He  married  Anna  Benoist 
Palmer,  descended  from  an  old  Huguenot  family  settled 
in  Charleston,  South  Carolina. 

Susan  was  born  in  Springfield,  in  1821.  She  was 
placed  early  in  a  Catholic  convent  for  her  education, 
and  acquired  many  brilliant  accomplishments.  She 
excelled  in  music,  was  a  good  linguist,  and  possessed 
Buch  a  knowledge  of  general  literature  as  to  develop 
and  cultivate  a  rare  taste.  When  only  sixteen  she  was 
married  to  Clark  Fitzhugh,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  a 
nephew  of  General  George  Rogers  Clark,  of  Kentucky. 
They  resided  in  Louisville  till  her  husband's  death. 
Mrs.  Fitzhugh  was  surrounded  by  a  circle  of  admiring 
friends,  and  was  esteemed  one  of  the  brightest  ornaments 
of  Western  society.  Pure  in  heart,  affectionate  and 
kind  in  her  nature,  and  disposed  to  exercise  every  office 
of  sincere  friendship  and  tender  charity,  accomplished  in 
her  manners,  and  brilliant  in  mental  attainments,  as 
well  as  beautiful  in  person,  she  soon  became  the  favorite 
of  her  circle.  Only  a  little  more  than  a  year,  how- 
ever, did  this  union  last.  One  daughter  was  left  to  the 


224  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

widow;  this  daughter  became  the  wife  of  Allan  Polk, 
of  Arkansas,  a  nephew  of  President  Polk. 

In  184:2,  Mrs.  Fitzhtigh  went  to  "Washington  with 
her  cousin,  Mrs.  Florida  White.  Here  she  became  a 
courted  belle  in  the  fashionable  world.  Her  beauty  was 
in  its  blooming  perfection.  Her  form  was  tall  and 
exquisitely  proportioned.  She  possessed  a  commanding 
dignity  of  mien,  with  faultless  grace  in  every  movement. 
Her  complexion  was  fair ;  her  eyes  were  dark  blue,  with 
long  brown  lashes;  and  her  dark  brown  hair  fell  in 
heavy  waves  almost  to  her  feet.  Her  features  had  the 
regularity  of  a  Greek  outline,  and  their  classic  beauty 
was  rendered  more  charming  by  the  refined  intelligence 
that  illumined  her  whole  countenance.  Her  voice  was 
musical,  and  she  had  fascinating  eloquence  in  conversa- 
tion. The  elegance  of  high-breeding  in  her  was  harmo- 
nious with  her  feminine  gentleness,  and  her  playful 
humor  gave  her  still  more  powerful  attraction.  Among 
her  gentlemen  admirers  were  the  most  distinguished 
men  in  the  Capital.  It  was  during  this  visit  that  she 
met  the  Hon.  E.  M.  Huntington,  then  Commissioner  of 
the  General  Land  Office  at  Washington.  She  was  mar- 
ried to  him  in  November  of  the  same  year.  President 
Tyler,  who  was  a  special  friend  of  Mr.  Huntington, 
offered  him  the  position  of  Judge  of  the  United  States 
Court  in  Indiana.  He  fixed  his  home  at  Terra  Haute ; 
but  he  and  his  wife  traveled  extensively,  and  wherever 
they  went,  Mrs.  Huntington  was  the  centre  and  star  of 
attraction.  The  judge  was  a  man  of  learning  and  lite- 


MRS.   HUNTINGTO^".  225 

rary  accomplishments,  and  served  on  the  bench,  associated 
with  the  Hon.  John  McLean,  of  Ohio,  long  enough  to 
render  his  name  celebrated.  He  died  at  St.  Paul,  Min- 
nesota, in  1862. 

The  health  of  Mrs.  Huntington  had  failed  in  1853, 
when  she  accompanied  her  husband  to  Louisiana,  and 
afterwards  to  San  Antonio,  Texas.  Here  they  remained 
during  the  winter.  The  disease,  however,  gained  upon 
her,  notwithstanding  the  change  of  climate  and  the 
attention  of  her  physicians.  In  December,  1854,  she 
faded  like  a  flower,  dying  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-two. 
She  was  the  mother  of  five  children. 

This  lovely  woman  had  a  ruling  influence  in  social 
circles,  but  one  more  valuable  in  the  hearts  of  those 
nearest  to  her.  Her  life  was  an  exemplification  of  the 
sweetest  womanly  virtues,  elevated  by  unaffected  piety. 
Beloved  in  her  home  and  by  numerous  friends,  her  Chris- 
tian faith  allied  her  to  higher  natures  in  a  purer  world. 

Ellen  Adair,  the  daughter  of  Governor  Adair,  of 
Kentucky,  who  married  Colonel  White,  of  Florida,  was 
usually  called  "  Mrs.  Florida  White,"  in  allusion  to  the 
State  represented  in  Congress  by  her  husband.  She 
was  a  fashionable  belle  in  Washington  for  several  years, 
and  was  celebrated  for  her  magnificent  person  and  her 
accomplishments  throughout  the  Gulf  States.  She  spent 
some  time  in  Europe.  In  her  widowhood,  while  on  a 
visit  in  New  Orleans,  she  met  Mr.  Beattie,  a  native  of 
Ireland,  whom  she  accepted  for  her  second  husband. 

Her  residence  afterwards  was  in  Florida. 
10* 


226  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Her  sister,  Mrs.  Benjamin  F.  Pleasants,  was  much 
admired  in  Washington  society,  and  took  an  interest  in 
public  affairs.  These  were  two  of  the  seven  daughters 
of  Governor  Adair,  all  of  whom  were  women  of  mark 
for  beauty  and  talents. 


Pamela  Williams  was  born  in  Williamston,  Massa- 
chusetts, about  1785.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  she  mar- 
ried General  Jacob  Brown,  whom  she  met  at  the  house 
of  her  brother,  Judge  Williams,  of  Utica,  New  York, 
and  went  with  him  to  reside  at  Brownsville,  in  Jefferson 
County.  She  was  his  constant  companion  in  Washing- 
ton, where  her  associations  were  with  many  elevated  in 
station  and  brilliant  ornaments  of  social  life.  The  Madi- 
sons,  Hamiltons,  Schuylers,  Calhouns,  &c.,  were  among 
her  most  intimate  friends.  Her  rare  qualities  of  mind 
and  heart,  her  unassuming  dignity,  graceful  ease,  and 
finished  culture,  were  highly  appreciated  in  the  best 
circles  of  the  national  capital.  Her  house  was  the 
centre  of  a  polished  coterie,  where  were  welcomed  not 
only  the  statesman  and  the  scholar,  the  gifted  and  dis- 
tinguished, but  the  less  fortunate,  who  stood  more  in 
need  of  sympathy  and  encouragement. 

When  the  General's  death  left  his  widow  in  sorrow, 
she  received  from  General  La  Fayette  a  tender  letter  of 
condolence : — 

"PARIS,  March  80,  1828. 

•'  MY  DEAR  MADAM  : 

"  Amidst  the  heavy  blows  I  have  to  bear  this  side  of  the  At- 
lantic, by  the  loss  of  a  young  and  beloved  grand-daughter,  and  of 


MRS.   J.   P.   FISHER.  227 

an  old  friend  and  relation,  the  melancholy  account  from  Washing- 
ton has  filled  my  heart  with  inexpressible  grief.  Previous  infb'-- 
mation  had  given  me  the  hope  of  improvement  in  the  state  of  the 
excellent  General's  health,  and  has  rendered  the  lamentable  event 
still  more  painful  to  me. 

"  You  know,  dear  madam,  the  intimate  and  most  confidential 
friendship  that  has  been  formed  between  us.  Our  personal  ac- 
quaintance was  recent,  although  our  characters  had  long  been 
known  to  each  other;  but  no  old  intimacy  could  be  more  affec- 
tionate, no  mutual  reliance  better  established. 

"  While  I  deeply  regret  him  on  my  account,  be  assured,  my  dear 
madam,  that  I  most  affectionately  sympathize  in  your  affliction, 
and  the  feelings  of  your  family.  My  son  and  M.  L.  Vasseur  beg  to 
be  remembered ;  and  I  am,  most  cordially, 

41  Your  affectionate  and  mourning  friend, 

"LAFAYETTE." 


The  wife  of  Henry  Clay  of  Kentucky  was  the 
daughter  of  Thomas  Hart  of  Lexington,  one  of  the  lead- 
ing men  of  the  State. 


Mrs.  Joshua  Francis  Fisher,  the  daughter  of  Henry 
Middleton,  at  one  time  United  States  minister  to  Rus- 
sia, is  noted  at  the  present  day  in  Philadelphia  for 
musical  accomplishments,  social  influence,  and  liberal 
hospitality.  She  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina.  Sev 
eral  persons  of  mark  have  belonged  to  the  Middleton 
family,  which  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  State. 


228  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

In  later  years,  Miss  SALLIE  WARD  was  extensive!} 
known  as  a  fashionable  belle  in  the  West.  The  high 
position  of  her  family,  her  extraordinary  personal  beauty 
and  fascinations,  and  her  connection  with,  noted  persons, 
placed  her,  even  in  youth,  among  the  conspicuously 
observed.  Her  ancestors  came  of  one  of  the  most  re- 
spectable of  the  ancient  Huguenot  families  who  fle(? 
from  French  persecution,  bringing  to  the  Southern 
States  the  best  blood  infused  into  the  veins  of  the  young 
nation.  Her  grandfather,  Major  Mattheus  Flournoy, 
served  with  distinction  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
He  purchased  a  country-seat  in  Scott  County,  Kentucky, 
where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born.  Her  father, 
Hon.  Robert  J.  Ward,  possessed  the  intellectual  qualities 
that  make  men  great,  with  those  moral  ones  which 
secure  lasting  friendship.  At  twenty-eight  he  was  elect- 
ed Speaker  of  the  Kentucky  Assembly,  his  ability  and 
eloquence  giving  promise  of  a  splendid  public  career. 
So  great  became  his  popularity  that  he  might  have  ob- 
tained any  office  in  the  people's  gift,  had  he  remained  in 
public  life;  in  comparative  retirement,  his  generous 
character  and  virtues  gave  him  influence  during  life, 
and  endeared  his  memory  to  numerous  friends. 

Mrs.  Ward  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  women 
of  the  day,  prominent  for  intellectual  gifts  and  personal 
loveliness.  No  one  in  Kentucky  has  entertained  so 
much  company,  or  with  such  "  success"  in  charming  her 
guests  and  rendering  her  home  famous  as  the  centre  of 


MRS.   SALLIE   WARD   HUNT.  229 

social  enjoyment.  She  still  holds  an  admired  place  in 
society. 

The  daughter  of  such  parents  might  be  expected  to 
have  every  advantage  of  education  and  moral  training  ; 
and  thus  it  happened  that  the  young  and  lovely  girl, 
reared  in  the  lap  of  luxury,  idolized  by  her  family,  en- 
joying every  pleasure  wealth  could  bestow,  and  received 
in  society  with  the  most  flattering  homage,  escaped 
being  spoiled  by  adulation,  and  grew  up  as  amiable  and 
as  well  developed  in  mind  as  if  stern  discipline  and 
severe  trial  had  moulded  her  character  in  early  years. 
She  had  rare  natural  gifts ;  a  remarkable  memory  and 
quick  perceptions  enabled  her  to  acquire  foreign  Ian 
guages  with  readiness,  and  to  retain  what  she  had 
learned;  and  especially  for  music  she  possessed  talent 
which  the  most  careful  and  scientific  cultivation  im- 
proved into  surpassing  skill. 

Every  class  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  she  lived, 
seemed  to  take  pride  in  the  loveliness  of  this  young  girl. 
It  was  a  curious  kind  of  popularity,  more  like  that  of  a 
French  princess  in  her  hereditary  province,  in  whom 
her  people  claimed  a  sort  of  ownership,  than  the  simple 
admiration  of  republicans  for  a  fair  being  highly  favored 
of  fortune.  If  a  child  had  a  pet  kitten  or  a  bird  of  re- 
markable beauty,  it  was  fondly  named  u  Sallie  Ward." 
If  a  farmer  rejoiced  in  the  possession  of  a  young  lamb  or 
heifer  which  he  wanted  to  praise  to  the  utmost  degree 
of  comparison,  he  would  recommend  it  as  "  a  perfect 
• Sallie  Ward.'  "  She  was  the  ideal  of  all  that  was  pure, 


230  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

beautiful,  and  sacred  to  young  people  who  saw  her  oniy 
at  a  distance  in  her  father's  carriage,  or  walking,  attend- 
ed, or  at  church.  Once,  when  a  mother  was  teaching 
her  bright  little  girl,  six  years  of  age,  to  say  her  prayers, 
and  to  meditate  on  the  grandeur  and  power  of  the  Al- 
mighty Creator,  she  told  her  how  God  made  the  glorious 
sun,  the  stars,  and  all  the  beautiful  flowers, — the  child 
interrupted  her  with,  "And,  mamma,  He  made  Sallie 
Ward !" 

"  The  Louisville  Legion  "  was  a  source  of  great  pride 
to  the  city.  It  is  now  identified  with  the  memory  of 
gallant  services  in  the  war  with  Mexico.  The  call  upon 
the  Governor  of  Kentucky  for  a  regiment  of  infantry  for 
service  was  responded  to  by  the  entire  body  of  the 
"Legion,"  which  was  mustered  into  service  in  May, 
1846,  and  embarked  at  Portland  for  New  Orleans.  The 
company  of  the  "  Louisville  Guards  "  was  quartered  on 
board  the  steamboat  "  Scott,"  which  came  up  to  the  foot 
of  the  falls  to  give  the  men  a  last  look  at  their  homes. 

The  morning  of  the  departure  of  the  brave  Kentucky 
troops  was  bright  and  exhilarating,  though  many  hearts 
were  wrung  with  anguish  at  the  parting.  The  troops 
marched  to  the  residence  of  Mr.  Ward,  followed  by 
friends  who  crowded  to  look  their  farewell.  There  was 
scarcely  a  dry  eye  in  the  vast  throng  as  the  youthful 
daughter  of  Mr.  Ward  appeared  with  a  beautiful  silken 
flag  bearing  the  stars  and  stripes.  This  she  presented ; 
and  as  the  soldiers  received  it,  and  its  rich  folds  were 
flung  to  the  breeze,  a  burst  of  inspiring  music  filled 


MRS.    SALLIE   WARD   HUNT.  231 

every  heart  with  new  hopes.  The  noble  fellows  marched 
away  to  the  music  amidst  loud  cheerings  and  faltered 
blessings.  One  of  the  principal  officers  of  that  celebrated 
"Legion"  was  General  William  Preston,  who  distin- 
guished himself  in  the  Southern  army. 

Miss  Ward,  accompanied  by  friends,  drove  to  Port- 
land to  present  the  star-spangled  banner  also  to  the 
"Louisville  Guards."  She  often  described  the  scene 
with  emotion.  "  As  those  brave  fellows  marched  by  the 
open  carriage  in  which  I  sat,  each  one  lifting  his  hat  to 
me,  it  was  the  proudest  moment  of  my  life.  I  esteemed 
the  honor  of  being  selected  to  present  the  flag  to  those 
noble  sons  of  Kentucky  far  greater  than  all  the  flattery 
and  homage  of  a  ball-room." 

After  the  return  of  the  troops,  covered  with  honor, 
from  the  army,  Miss  Ward  was  one  afternoon  seated  on 
her  horse  for  a  ride,  when  the  two  companies  to  whom 
she  had  presented  the  flags  marched  up  and  halted 
before  her  father's  house.  Unfurling  the  regimental 
banners,  which  they  had  carried  through  the  entire 
campaign,  they  gave  her  a  joyous  greeting,  "  such  as 
only  brave  men  can  give  a  woman.  And,  with  my 
whole  soul"  she  said,  " I  bade  them  welcome.  I  gazed 
with  pride  upon  those  flags,  borne  with  honor  and  suc- 
cess through  so  many  battles  by  the  brave  men  before 
me." 

A  letter-writer,  describing  an  evening  at  the  White 
Sulphur  Springs,  thus  mentions  Mrs.  Johnston,  another 
daughter  of  Mr.  Ward  : — 


232  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

"  The  cynosure  of  all  eyes,  the  nucleus  around  which  all  gath- 
ered, was  the  newly  arrived  bride  from  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
the  daughter  of  Mr.  Ward  of  that  city,  who  is  among  the  guests. 
"We  do  not  believe  Tom  Moore  found  any  thing  fairer  when  he 
went  angel-hunting  under  the  shade  of  the  sumachs,  than  the 
picture-like  face  of  this  child-bride.  Although  her  exquisite  loveli- 
ness of  feature,  bright  with  the  flush  of  early  youth,  is  such  as  to 
throw  the  pretensions  of  others  into  the  shade,  yet  her  disposition 
seems  so  gentle,  her  naivete'  so  captivating,  that  it  would  be  im- 
possible to  cherish  one  jealous  feeling  against  her.  To  our  mind, 
the  chief  charm  of  this  young  creature  is  the  shy,  sweet  tenderness 
in  her  face.  Her  diamonds  and  point  d'Alen^on  would  have 
rejoiced  the  courtly  pencil  of  Vandyke." 

The  White  Sulphur  Springs,  in  the  mountainous 
region  of  Yirginia,  and  surrounded  by  magnificent 
scenery,  had  long  been  the  favorite  resort  of  Fashion 
from  the  Southern  and  Southwestern  States.  Many 
were  the  belles  who  flourished  here,  season  after  season, 
and  many  were  the  fancy  balls,  that  rivaled  those  of 
Saratoga  and  Newport. 

At  a  fancy  ball  given  by  Mrs.  Eobert  J.  Ward,  her 
daughter  Sallie  was  described  as  the  centre  of  attraction. 
As  Nourmahal,  she  wore  a  pink  satin  skirt,  covered 
with  silver  lama,  the  bodice  embroidered  with  silver 
and  studded  with  diamonds ;  the  oriental  white  sleeves 
adorned  with  silver  and  gold ;  the  satin  trousers  spangled 
with  gold.  Her  hair  was  braided  with  pearls  and  cov- 
ered with  a  Greek  cap;  her  pink  slippers  were  embroi- 
dered with  silver,  and  splendid  jewels  profusely  decorated 
the  whole  costume.  The  second  dress — Nourrnahal  at 
the  feast  of  Eoses— was  of  white  illusion  dotted  with 
pilver,  with  a  veil  of  silvery  sheen  and  wreath  of  white 


MRS.   SALLIE  WARD   HUNT.  233 

roses,  and  white  silk  boots  with,  silver  anklets.  She 
bore  the  charmed  lute. 

During  her  subsequent  sojourn  and  travel  in  Europe 
she  had  opportunities  for  enjoying  the  master-pieces  of 
art  in  all  its  forms,  and  her  taste  became  critical,  while 
her  own  powers  were  more  developed.  All  who  have 
known  her  bear  testimony  to  her  high  intellectual  cul- 
ture and  varied  accomplishments,  as  well  as  to  her  fault- 
less grace,  and  her  excellence  in  the  relations  woman  is 
called  to  bear,  of  daughter,  wife,  and  mother.  A  distin- 
guished man  remarked,  that  she  "  had  the  mind  of  a 
man,  with  the  gentleness  and  refinement  of  a  true 
woman." 

Not  only  in  her  native  State,  in  the  South,  and  in 
the  courtly  circles  of  London,  but  in  other  portions  of 
the  United  States,  was  this  gifted  lady  admired  and 
courted  as  a  leader  of  fashion.  Her  beauty  was  said  to 
be  absolutely  dazzling.  Her  bright  spirit,  her  "  imperial 
elegance,"  combined  with  unaffected  simplicity,  her  im- 
pulsive gayety  united  to  gentleness,  her  charming  wit 
and  sprightliness  in  conversation,  rendered  her  a  favorite 
in  every  society.  She  was  tall,  with  a  form  exquisitely 
symmetrical,  combining  majesty  with  bewitching  grace. 
Her  hands  and  feet  were  aristocratically  small ;  her  fair 
complexion,  large  blue  eyes,  and  delicately  penciled 
eyebrows,  with  a  wealth  of  auburn  hair,  were  distinctive 
of  a  blonde.  Her  voice  is  melodious,  low,  and  sweet, 
and  admirably  modulated ;  "  an  excellent  thing  in 
woman,"  and  rare  in  America.  No  justice  to  a  woman's 


234  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

beauty  can  be  done  in  a  written  description.  But  that 
she  possesses  a  heart  and  mind  of  superior  order,  a  soul 
above  conventional  distinctions,  is  evident  to  all  who 
know  her.  She  never  seemed  to  prize  the  reputation 
of  the  fashionable  belle,  nor  wished  to  be  remembered 
merely  as  the  idol  of  frivolous  admiration  ;  she  would 
rather  turn  from  such  adulation.  The  true  and  tried 
friendship  of  those  she  judges  worthy  of  esteem,  the  dis- 
interested kindness  of  noble  hearts — these  she  "  grapples 
to  her  soul  with  hooks  of  steel ;"  these  she  appreciates 
and  values.  A  gentleman  from  New  York,  who  had 
refused  a  letter  of  introduction  to  her,  saying  he  was 
sure  he  would  not  like  her,  cha'nced  to  meet  her  at  a 
friend's  house,  was  introduced  without  hearing  her 
name,  and  entered  into  animated  conversation  with 
her,  not  knowing,  for  hours,  that  the  lady  who  had 
so  charmed  him  was  formerly  the  Miss  Ward  so  cele- 
brated. He  became  one  of  her  most  devoted  friends, 
and  often  said  he  "  never  knew  a  woman  who  had  been 
so  little  understood." 

The  refined  taste  which  showed  itself  in  this  lady's 
love  of  music,  painting,  and  sculpture,  always  appeared 
in  her  style  of  dress.  This  was  rich,  but  never  ostenta- 
tious nor  incongruous.  A  French  gentleman  who  was 
presented  to  her  expressed  his  surprise  at  her  faultless 
costume,  saying,  with  enthusiasm,  "If  the  rest  of  her 
character  corresponds  with  her  taste  in  dress,  she  must 
be  perfect,"  and  observing  that  he  had  rarely  seen  such 
in  American  ladies. 


BOKS.SAILD.ffE 


MRS.   SALLIE   WARD  HUNT.  235 

The  generous  charity  of  Mrs.  Hunt  has  ever  been 
warm  and  free.  The  poor  were  always  her  friends. 
The  little  daughters  of  her  dressmakers  and  working- 
people,  who  were  named  after  her,  were  always  noticed 
kindly,  and  she  seemed  more  pleased  with  the  compli- 
ment from  them  than  from  wealthy  parents  of  little 
"  Sallie  Wards  "  covered  with  lace  and  jewels. 

Before  her  marriage,  Miss  Ward  had  been  accus- 
tomed to  spend  the  winters  in  New  Orleans.  After  she 
was  married  to  Dr.  Hunt,  and  before  the  civil  war,  her 
residence  was  in  New  Orleans  for  seven  years.  Her 
home  was  a  palace  in  splendor.  The  furniture  for  some 
of  her  rooms  was  made  after  the  model  of  that  used  in 
the  apartments  of  the  Duchess  of  Orleans,  in  Paris; 
covered  with  white  satin  embroidered  with  chenille  in 
wreaths  and  bouquets,  with  gilded  framing  richly 
carved  ;  and  divans  and  sofas  covered  with  light  blue 
satin,  embroidered  with  white  lilies,  in  rose- wood  frames. 
The  style  in  which  Dr.  Hunt  lived  corresponded  with 
this  magnificence.  Several  carriages  were  kept,  with  a 
retinue  of  servants.  The  dinner-parties  were  splendid, 
and  always  accompanied  by  music  from  the  orchestra  of 
the  French  Opera.  The  dining-room  opened  on  a  mar- 
ble court,  in  the  centre  of  which  was  a  beautiful  marble 
fountain,  with  jets  arranged  so  as  to  play  in  figures. 
One  of  these  was  turned  on  every  day  just  before  dinner 
was  announced;  and  the  freshness  and  music  of  falling 
waters  were  an  agreeable  adjunct  in  that  warm  climate 
to  the  enjoyment  of  the  meal.  Surrounded  with  luxur»v 


236  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

by  a  Husband  whose  wealth  was  devoted  to  her  gratifica- 
tion, Mrs.  Hunt  was  the  centre  of  a  choice  circle  of 
friends,  dispensing  hospitality  in  a  style  suited  to  her 
liberal  feelings,  and  happy  in  promoting  the  enjoyment 
of  those  around  her.  The  house  was  adorned  with  the 
finest  statuary  and  paintings.  Her  superb  entertain- 
ments were  the  delight  of  distinguished  guests,  as 
marked  by  refined  taste. 

At  a  fancy  dress  and  masquerade  party  given  by 
Miss  Lillie  Ward,  in  compliment  to  one  of  the  belles  of 
Cincinnati,  Mrs.  Hunt's  light  blue  moire  antique  dress 
was  remarkable  for  its  decorations  of  magnificent  point 
lace  and  diamonds  of  wonderful  size  and  brilliancy. 
The  necklace  was  composed  of  thirty-two  "solitaires'" 
of  immense  value.  She  wore  a  superb  point  lace  shawl. 
The  fair  young  hostess  appeared  as  a  Polish  princess  at 
the  Russian  Court,  in  a  dress  of  heavy  white  silk,  the 
Bkirt  trimmed  with  ermine,  and  four  rows  of  wide  scar- 
let satin  bands  embroidered  with  gold.  The  corsage 
was  high,  and  striped  across  the  front  with  scarlet  satin 
bands  and  gold  lace.  A  hussar  jacket  of  scarlet  satin, 
embroidered  with  gold  and  trimmed  with  ermine,  hung 
from  her  left  shoulder,  fastened  with  a  gold  cord  and 
tassel.  A  jaunty  cap  of  scarlet  satin,  with  band  of  er- 
mine and  the  emblematic  Polish  feather,  fastened  with 
opal  and  diamonds,  completed  the  costume. 

A  general,  distinguished  in  the  late  war,  who  met 
Mrs.  Hunt  at  a  party  in  Louisville,  wrote  an  eloquent 
description  of  her.  "  For  each  epoch  of  life,"  he  said, 


MRS.   SALLIE   WARD   HUNT.  237 

•'  the  style  of  her  beauty  was  the  appropriate  model." 
"  What  I  noted  chiefly  was,  the  fullness  of  soul,  the  ex- 
pression of  refined  intellect,  that  beamed  from  her  eyes 
and  was  revealed  in  every  lineament  and  movement. 
Her  every  word  expressed  a  thought,  while  her  language 
and  manner  were  unaffected  and  simple  as  a  child's.'* 
"  Her  benevolent  spirit  finds  exercise  in  diffusing  de- 
light." 

In  her  domestic  life  at  her  present  home,  Mrs.  Hint 
displays  the  noble  gifts  and  graces  of  her  true  nature. 
Death  has  bereaved  her  of  her  devoted  husband  ; — 
but,  surrounded  by  affectionate  relatives — and  engrosst%d 
by  the  employment  of  teaching  her  only  child,  a  bright 
and  noble  boy,  forming  and  developing  his  character  for 
the  greatest  usefulness  in  life,  and  giving  time  and  efforts 
to  aid  religious  works  under  the  auspices  of  her  church — 
she  has  crowned  a  lovely  youth  with  the  meek  virtues 
of  Christian  womanhood.  It  is  rarely  that  the  flower 
reared  in  the  perilous  glare  of  the  world's  homage  thus 
preserves  its  bloom  and  fragrance  to  brighten  the  shady 
walks  of  life.  Perhaps,  in  the  United  States,  there  has 
been  no  woman  so  much  flattered  and  courted  ;  and  the 
fact  that  the  pure  simplicity  of  her  character  has  not 
been  impaired,  argues  a  truly  elevated  mind.  She  seems 
to  desire,  above  all  worldly  things,  to  be  loved  by  her 
family  and  friends ;  and  amply  is  her  wish  gratified, 
while  the  society  in  which,  she  lives  owns  the  gentlest 
and  sweetest  of  womanly  influences. 


238  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 


XI. 


IN  preparing  a  limited  sketch  of  Mrs.  Madison,  one 
labors  under  many  difficulties.  The  subject  must  inter- 
est every  American ;  yet  the  outline  cannot  be  filled  up 
with  such  details  of  life  and  character  as  would  make  a 
picture  worthy  of  the  noble  original.  Those  of  her  own 
family  who  knew  and  loved  her  must  be  sensible  of  this 
disability.  Her  life,  too,  was  so  closely  interwoven  with 
that  of  Mr.  Madison,  by  their  mutual  devotion  to  each 
other's  interests  and  happiness,  and  their  perfect  unison 
of  opinion  and  feeling  in  outside  affairs,  that  a  memoir 
of  the  lady  must  be  incomplete  without  continual  refe- 
rence to  her  husband.  Her  kind  and  genial  disposition, 
her  delicate  tact  and  good  sense,  were  brought  into  exer- 
cise chiefly  in  the  "aid  and  comfort  "rendered  to  him  ; 
as  also  were  those  graces  of  mind  and  person  which 
made  the  home  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  of  the  Presi- 
dent, and,  lastly,  of  the  retired  patriot  and  statesman,  so 
charming  a  retreat,  and*  so  attractive  alike  to  political 
friends  and  opponents. 

The  true  character  of  Mrs.  Madison  can  only  be 
delineated  properly  by  a  faithful  description  of  the  whole 
tenor  of  her  life,  and  of  her  consistent  conduct  during 
her  eventful  experience.  I  must  deprecate,  therefore,  in 


MRS.    MADISON.  *  239 

the  commencement  of  this  brief  notice,  the  criticism  of 
her  friends,  who  have  a  right  to  expect  a  portraiture 
satisfactory  to  their  recollections.  Such  would  require  a 
volume  of  itself.  This  imperfect  sketch  may,  however, 
suggest  an  extended  memoir  by  some  able  pen,  before 
the  materials  are  lost. 

John  Payne,  the  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Madison,  was 
an  English  gentleman  of  wealth  and  liberal  educa- 
tion. He  came  to  reside  in  this  country,  and  settled 
in  Goochland  County,  Virginia.  His  wife  was  Anna 
Fleming,  grand-daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Fleming,  who 
landed  at  Jamestown  in  1616,  and  afterwards  settled 
in  the  county  of  New  Kent.  Their  son,  John  Payne, 
removed  to  North  Carolina,  where  was  situated  the 
plantation  his  father  had  given  him.  He  married 
Mary,  the  daughter  of  William  Coles,  a  native  of  Ennk 
corthy,  in  Ireland.  Not  long  after  his  marriage  he  re- 
turned to  Yirginia,  and  purchased  an  estate  in  Hanover 
County.  He  served  as  captain  in  the  American  army 
during  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  had  six  children,  of 
whom  the  oldest  and  youngest  were  sons.  The  eldest 
daughter  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Of  her  three 
sisters,  Lucy,  in  1792,  married  George  Steptoe  Washing- 
ton (a  nephew  of  General  Washington),  who  owned  a 
splendid  estate  in  Jefferson  County,  Yirginia ;  and  after- 
wards, in  1811,  Thomas  Todd,  of  Kentucky,  one  of  the 
Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 

Anna  Payne  married  Hon.  Richard  Cutts,  member 
of  Congress  from  the  District  of  Maine,  in  1804 ;  and 


240  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

Mary  Payne,  in  1800,  was  wedded  to  General  G.  J. 
Jackson,  a  prominent  member  of  Congress  from  Vir- 
ginia. 

Dorothy  Payne  was  born  May  20,  1772,  while  her 
parents  were  on  a  visit  to  North  Carolina,  and  received 
her  name  in  honor  of  a  beloved  relative,  Mrs.  Henry,  of 
Yirginia.  Both  her  parents  became  strict  members  of 
the  Society  of  Friends,  and  were  among  the  first  of  their 
sect  in  Yirginia  who  had  conscientious  scruples  as  to  the 
right  of  holding  slaves  as  property.  In  1786,  their  plan- 
tation in  Yirginia  was  sold,  and  with  their  negroes  they 
removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  they  gave  all  the  slaves 
their  freedom.  One  of  the  women,  "Mother  Amy," 
the  nurse  of  the  little  Dorothy,  would  not  consent  to 
leave  her  kind  master  and  mistress.  She  remained  in 
their  household,  and  was  always  faithful  to  their  service. 
Being  thrifty  and  saving,  she  laid  up  her  wages,  and  at 
her  death  bequeathed  five  hundred  dollars  to  Mrs. 
Payne- 

In  early  youth  Dorothy  was  remarkable  for  personal 
beauty  and  for  grace  of  manners,  joined  to  a  modesty 
and  gentleness  that  disarmed  envy.  She  was  bright 
and  lively,  endowed  with  a  power  of  fascination  felt  by 
all  who  approached  her,  and  withal  was  kind-hearted 
and  full  of  sympathy.  As  her  parents  were  in  moderate 
circumstances,  she  owed  neither  to  wealth  nor  hereditary 
possession  the  attention  she  received.  In  1791,  she  was 
married  to  John  Todd,  of  Philadelphia,  a  wealthy  young 
lawyer,  who  also  belonged  to  the  Society  of  Friends.  The 


MRS.   MADISON.  241 

youthful  pair  lived  in  simplicity  and  seclusion,  but  were 
not  long  united.  Mr.  Payne  died  a  few  months  after 
the  marriage,  and  in  1793,  during  the  prevalence  of  the 
yellow  fever  in  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Todd  fell  a  victim  to 
the  disease,  leaving  Dorothy  a  widow  with  two  children, 
one  of  whom  survived  its  father  but  a  short  time.  The 
other  son,  John  Payne  Todd,  lived  to  be  nearly  sixty 
years  of  age. 

Mrs.  Todd  returned  to  the  home  of  her  widowed 
mother  in  Philadelphia.  Young  and  lovely  as  she  was, 
her  natural  frank  gayety  prevailed  over  the  depression 
of  sorrow,  and  she  soon  became  a  great  favorite  in 
society.  She  was  surrounded  by  suitors  for  her  fair 
hand.  One  among  them— James  Madison,  then  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress  from  Virginia — was  successful  in  laying 
siege  to  her  heart.  In  truth,  it  is  said  she  never  before 
knew  what  love  was  till  he  became  her  affianced  hup 
band. 

Towards  the  close  of  1794,  the  youthful  widow,  ac- 
companied by  her  son,  her  sister  Anna,  and  other 
friends,  among  them  her  accepted  lover,  left  Philadel- 
phia for  Herewood,  the  country-seat  of  her  sister,  Mrs. 
Washington.  The  gay  party  spent  a  week  in  making 
the  journey,  and  shortly  after  their  arrival  Mrs.  Todd 
was  married  to  Mr.  Madison ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Belmaine, 
of  the  Episcopal  Church,  who  resided  in  "Winchester, 
performing  the  nuptial  ceremony.  The  event  was  cele- 
brated with  the  festivities  usual  on  such  occasions,  and 
the  bridal  pair  proceeded  to  Montpelier,  in  Orange 


242  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

County,  Virginia,  where  they  took  up  their  residence 
with  the  father  of  Mr.  Madison. 

The  hospitality  of  the  Virginia  planter,  now  a  tra- 
dition, was  then  in  its  golden  prime.  Mr.  Madison's 
house  overflowed  with  guests,  and  various  social  plea- 
sures made  the  hours  and  days  pass  rapidly.  Mrs. 
Madison's  mother  and  sister  were  invited  to  share  in  the 
enjoyments  of  her  new  home,  and  she,  on  her  part,  be- 
came devotedly  attached  to  the  mother  of  her  husband. 
Harmony  and  mutual  affection,  with  the  enlivening 
society  of  friends  and  the  luxuries  a  liberal  fortune  could 
command,  made  the  place  a  little  paradise.  Mr.  Madi- 
son continued  in  Congress — then  holding  its  sessions  in 
Philadelphia — until  1797.  During  these  years  of  home 
and  social  pleasures,  his  beautiful  wife  had  gradually 
changed  the  sober  dress  and  grave  manners  of  the  Qua- 
keress for  an  attire  and  deportment  better  suited  to  the 
part  she  was  destined  to  take  as  a  leader  in  society. 
She  retained,  however,  the  fundamental  principles  of  the 
faith  in  which  she  had  been  educated ;  and  no  contact 
with  the  world  could  divest  her  of  that  softness  of  man- 
ner and  gentle  dignity,  that  sympathizing  kindness  of 
heart  and  universal  charity,  which  she  inherited  from 
her  parents  as  a  part  of  her  nature. 

Mr.  Madison  was  appointed  Secretary  of  State  b\ 
President  Jefferson,  in  1801,  and  removed  his  residence 
shortly  after  to  Washington.  The  new  National  capital 
was  at  that  time  little  better  than  a  wilderness.  The 
house  to  which  Mrs.  Madison  was  brought  stood  on  a 


MRS.   MADISON  243 

barren  waste,  in  which  were  scattered  rough  masses  of 
stone  half  hidden  by  the  foliage  of  oak  trees,  like  ruins 
over  which  moss  and  ivy  clustered.  The  silence  and 
solitude  of  the  premises  were  almost  appalling.  The 
society  of  the  place  consisted  of  families  unaccustomed 
to  the  new  aspect  of  things,  and  not  harmonized  by  simi 
larity  of  habits,  nor  by  established  modes  of  living. 
They  formed,  in  truth,  a  motley  throng,  in  need  of  mu- 
tual aid  and  adaptation  to  bring  them  into  the  degree 
of  unison  necessary  to  make  their  association  in  any  way 
agreeable.  Here  Mrs.  Madison's  ready  sympathies  and 
exquisite  tact  came  into  full  requisition.  She  did  much 
to  unite  the  discordant  elements,  and  make  her  neigh- 
bors, as  Mr.  Jefferson  said,  "like  one  family."  The 
spirit  of  union  and  kindly  feeling  began  to  pervade 
society,  and  grew  as  the  social  intercourse,  unshackled 
by  etiquette  or  empty  ceremony,  became  more  genial 
and  extended.  In  the  absence  of  Mr.  Jefferson's  daugh- 
ters, Mrs.  Madison  presided  in  the  Executive  mansion, 
and  her  influence  was  the  true  fostering  genius  to  which 
the  happy  change  was  due.  The  house  of  the  Secretary 
of  State,  next  to  the  President's,  was  the  resort  of  the 
greatest  number  of  guests.  Foreign  ministers  and  visit- 
ors, senators,  representatives,  and  persons  of  various 
political  opinions,  there  met  and  conversed  freely,  while 
party  spirit  lost  its  bitterness  in  that  pleasant  atmo- 
sphere. How  much  of  this  softening  of  asperities  was 
owing  to  the  peculiar  charm  of  the  manner  of  the  fair 
hostess,  to  her  gracious  affability,  her  cordial  ease  and 


244  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

frankness,  and  her  faculty  pf  banishing  the  evil  cloud 
from  the  horizon,  probably  none  knew,  for  the  sweetest 
moral  influences  are  'felt  rather  than  discerned  by  out- 
ward sense.  The  table  of  the  Secretary  was  continually 
surrounded  by  guests,  and  was  spread  with  the  profusion 
of  Virginian  hospitality,  sometimes  at  the  expense,  it  must 
be  confessed,  of  the  refined  elegance  of  European  taste 
The  wife  of  a  foreign  minister  once  ridiculed  the  enor- 
mous size  and  the  number  of  the  dishes  with  which  the 
table  was  loaded,  and  remarked  that  it  was  more  like  a 
harvest-home  supper  than  the  entertainment  of  a  Secre- 
tary of  State.*  On  hearing  of  this  observation,  Mrs. 
Madison  replied,  that  she  thought  abundance  preferable 
to  elegance  ;  that  customs  were  created  by  circum- 
stances, and  tastes  by  customs ;  and  that,  as  the  profu- 
sion so  repugnant  to  foreign  ideas  of  propriety  arose 
from  the  happy  circumstance  of  the  superabundance  and 
prosperity  granted  by  a  bountiful  Providence  to  our 
favored  land,  she  did  not  hesitate  to  sacrifice  the  deli- 
cacy of  European  taste  to  the  less  elegant  but  more 
liberal  fashion  of  Virginia.  That  profusely  spread  table, 
indeed,  supplied  the  daily  food  of  many  poor  families. 

Mr.  Madison  held  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State 
for  eight  years.  During  this  time  the  same  hospitable 
and  kindly  relations  were  sustained  with  the  citizens, 


*  I  have  availed  myself  of  a  sketch  of  Mrs.  Madison  in  the  "  National 
Portrait  Gallery,"  written  by  Mrs.  S.  H.  Smith,  an  old  and  esteemed  friend 
of  the  family.  I  am  indebted  for  other  materials  to  Mr.  Richard  D.  Cutts, 
of  Washington,  the  nephew  of  Mrs.  Madison. 


MRS.    MADISON.  245 

and  reciprocal  civilities  strengthened  mutual  good -will. 
While  her  husband  was  absorbed  in  public  business, 
Mrs.  Madison  discharged  the  duties  devolving  upon  her, 
as  his  helpmeet  and  the  mistress  of  his  home,  in  social 
entertainments  and  as  a  visitor  to  others.  Never  was 
woman  better  fitted  by  nature  and  attainments  for  the 
difficult  and  delicate  task.  In  her  conspicuous  position, 
exposed  to  jealousy  and  misconstruction,  she  managed  to 
conciliate  the  good-will  of  all  without  offending  the  self- 
love  of  any  one.  Every  visitor  left  her,  it  is  said,  under 
the  impression  that  he  or  she  had  been  received  with 
favor,  and  had  secured  some  portion  of  the  esteem  of  the 
charming  lady.  One  of  her  peculiarities  was,  that  she 
rarely  or  never  forgot  a  name,  a  face,  or  any  occurrence 
worth  remembering.  Her  quickness  of  recognition,  and 
ready  recurrence  to  the  peculiar  interest  of  an  individual, 
doubtless  went  far  to  enlist  the  feelings  of  those  with 
whom  she  conversed  ;  yet  her  sympathies  were  genuine, 
and  she  never  feigned  a  regard  she  could  not  feel. 

While  in  the  exercise  of  hospitality  and  in  dispensing 
charity,  her  profusion  was  unchecked,  Mrs.  Madison's 
house  was  plainly  furnished,  and  her  dress  was  far  from 
extravagant.  In  this  respect  her  example  is  an  admira- 
ble one  for  the  ladies  of  the  present  day. 

As  the  time  approached  for  the  election  of  another 
President — Mr.  Madison  being  a  candidate — political  in- 
trigues were  rife  in  Washington.  The  times  were  trying 
beyond  precedent,  and  the  war  of  conflicting  parties  was 
severe.  Here  was  a  field  for  more  than  diplomatic  tact ; 


246  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

for  the  play  of  woman's  true  wisdom,  and  her  gentlest 
ministrations  in  reconciling  differences.  Mrs.  Madison 
proved  herself  "  equal  to  the  situation."  She  met  politi- 
cal assailants  with  mildness,  and  by  "the  soft  answer" 
turned  away  the  rancor  of  hostile  party  feeling.  Many 
a  political  foe  did  she  convert  into  a  friend  and  follower 
of  Madison.  The  bitterness  of  opposition  was  neutral- 
ized by  her  amiable  civilities,  which  she  took  care  should 
never  be  influenced  by  party  politics.  "  Her  snuff-box,'' 
says  a  friend,  "  had  magic  influence  ;  who  could  partake 
of  the  offered  dainty  and  retain  enmity?1'  Thus  the 
most  violent  partisans  in  her  presence  stood  smiling  and 
courteous,  and  the  kindly  feelings  her  generous  polite- 
ness awakened  in  the  end  triumphed  over  animosities. 
No  human  heart  can  resist  the  gentle  approach  of  "  melt- 
ing charity,"  and  the  excellent  effect  of  Mrs.  Madison's 
tactics — if  so  they  may  be  called — was  soon  evident. 
Her  husband  was  elected  to  the  Presidency  of  the 
United  States,  and  was  inaugurated  in  March,  1809. 

At  the  first  reception  given,  Mr.  Jefferson  was  sur- 
rounded by  a  crowd  of  admiring  friends,  anxious  to 
express  their  regret  for  his  impending  departure.  As 
the  fairer  portion  of  the  throng  pressed  forward,  a  gen- 
tleman said,  "  The  ladies  will  follow  you."—"  That  is 
right,"  replied  the  ex-President,  "  since  I  am  too  old  to 
follow  them ;"  and  added,  "  I  remember,  in  France, 
when  Dr.  Franklin's  friends  were  taking  leave  of  him, 
the  ladies  almost  smothered  him  with  embraces.  On  his 
introducing  me  to  them  as  his  successor,  I  told  them 


MRS.   MADISON.  247 

that,  among  the  rest  of  his  privileges,  I  wished  he  would 
transfer  this  enviable  one  to  me.  But  he  answered, 
'No,  no ;  you  are  too  young  a  man.'  " 

One  of  the  ladies  whispered,  "Why  does  he  forget 
that  that  distinction  no  longer  exists?" 

A  splendid  ball  celebrated  the  inauguration  of  Mad- 
ison, and  Jefferson  came  early  to  receive  his  successor. 
The  band  struck  up  at  the  entrance  of  each  party.  Mrs. 
Madison  was  led  to  a  seat  at  the  upper  end  of  the  room. 
She  "  looked  and  moved  a  queen."  She  wore  a  robe  of 
buff-colored  velvet,  with  rich  pearls  on  her  neck  and 
arms,  and  a  Paris  turban  with  a  bird-of-paradise  plume. 
Jefferson,  who  was  all  life  and  exhilaration,  replied  to  a 
remark  on  the  paleness  and  apparent  exhaustion  of  the 
new  President :  "  Can  you  wonder  at  it !  My  shoulders 
have  just  been  freed  from  a  heavy  burden;  his  just 
laden  with  it."  When  the  manager  brought  Mrs.  Mad- 
ison the  first  number  in  the  dance,  she  said,  smiling : 
"  I  never  dance ;  what  shall  I  do  with  it  ?" — "  Give  it  to 
the  lady  next  you,"  was  the  answer.  "  No ;  that  would 
look  like  partiality." — "  Then  I  will,"  said  the  manager, 
and  presented  it  to  her  sister. 

The  Presidential  mansion  now  became  more  than 
ever  the  center  of  a  gay  and  brilliant  society.  Large 
dinner  parties  were  given  every  week,  and  a  drawing- 
room  was  opened,  where  the  beauty  and  fashion  of  the 
nation  had  a  suitable  field  for  display.  The  stiff  formal- 
ity and  rigid  ceremonials  which  had  marked  the  rule  of 
Mrs.  Washington,  were  exchanged  for  ease,  freedom,  and 


248  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

lively  conversation,  all  unnecessary  etiquette  being  ban- 
ished. Mrs.  Madison's  own  manner  was  distinguished 
by  sweet  dignity  and  an  amiable  courtliness  that  adorned 
her  high  station,  without  the  least  admixture  of  pride  or 
pretension ;  it  was  gracious  and  winning  without  famil- 
iarity, and  modest  without  too  much  reserve. 

Mrs.  Adams  wrote  to  her  daughter,  June,  1809 : 
"  With  respect  to  Mrs.  Madison's  influence,  it  ought  to 
be  such  as  Solomon  describes  his  virtuous  woman's  to  be, 
— one  who  should  do  him  good  and  not  evil  all  the  days 
of  her  life, — so  that  the  heart  of  her  husband  may  safely 
trust  in  her.  I  believe  I  may  say  with  safety  that  her 
predecessors  left  her  no  evil  example." 

The  bright  aspect  of  affairs  was  soon  changed.  War. 
raged  over  the  country,  and  brought  desolation  in  its 
train,  as  it  threatened  the  National  capital  in  1814.  The 
terror  was  wide  spread ;  the  inhabitants  fled  to  neigh- 
boring towns  for  refuge  as  the  advancing  cannon  was 
heard  booming  in  the  distance,  and  dismay  came  upon 
all  who  remained.  The  President  had  gone  to  hold  a 
council  of  war,  and  no  entreaties  could  prevail  on  Mrs. 
Madison  to  leave  the  city'of  Washington  in  his  absence. 
In  vain  the  friends  who  implored  her  to  escape  had  the 
carriage  brought  to  the  door ;  she  refused  to  enter  it. 
At  this  juncture,  her  feelings  may  best  be  seen  by  her 
letter  to  her  sister : — 

"TUESDAY,  AUGUST  23, 1814. 
"DEAR  SISTER: — 

"  My  husband  left  me  yesterday  morning  to  join  General  Winder. 
He  inquired  anxiously  whether  I  had  courage  and  firmness  to  re- 


MES.   MADISON".  249 

main  in  the  Presidential  house  till  his  return,  and  on  my  assurance 
that  I  had  no  tear  but  for  him  and  the  success  of  our  army,  he  left 
me,  beseeching  me  to  take  care  of  myself  and  of  the  cabinet 
papers,  public  and  private.  I  have  since  received  two  dispatches 
from  him,  written  with  a  pencil.  The  last  is  alarming,  because  he 
desires  I  should  be  ready  at  a  moment's  warning  to  enter  my  car- 
riage and  leave  the  city ;  that  the  enemy  seemed  stronger  than  had 
been  reported,  and  that  it  might  happen  that  they  would  reach  the 
city  with  intention  to  destroy  it.  *  *  *  * 

I  am  accordingly  ready.  I  have  pressed  as  many  cabinet  papers 
into  trunks  as  to  fill  one  carriage.  Our  private  property  must  be 
sacrificed,  as  it  is  impossible  to  procure  wagons  for  its  transporta- 
tion. I  am  determined  not  to  go  myself  until  I  see  Mr.  Madison 
safe,  and  he  can  accompany  me,  as  I  hear  of  much  hostility 
towards  him.  *  *  *  Disaffection  stalks  around  us.  *  *  * 
My  friends  are  all  gone ;  even  Colonel  C.,  with  his  hundred  men, 
who  were  stationed  as  a  guard  in  this  inclosure.  French  John  (a 
faithful  domestic),  with  his  usual  activity  and  resolution,  offers  to 
spike  the  cannon  at  the  gate,  and  to  lay  a  train  of  powder  which 
would  blow  up  the  British  should  they  enter  the  house.  To 
the  last  proposition  I  positively  object,  without  being  able,  how- 
ever, to  make  him  understand  why  all  advantages  in  war  may  not 
be  taken. 

"Wednesday  morning,  twelve  o'clock.  Since  sunrise  I  have  been 
turning  my  spy-glass  in  every  direction,  and  watching  with  un- 
wearied anxiety,  hoping  to  discern  the  approach  of  my  dear  hus- 
band and  his  friends;  but  alas!  I  can  descry  only  groups  of  mili- 
tary wandering  in  all  directions,  as  if  there  was  a  lack  of  arms  or 
spirit  to  fight  for  their  own  firesides! 

"  Three  o"1  clock.  Will  you  believe  it,  my  sister,  we  have  had  a 
battle  or  skirmish  near  Bladensburgh,  and  I  am  still  here  within 
sound  of  the  cannon !  Mr.  Madison  comes  not.  May  God  protect 
him!  Two  messengers,  covered  with  dust,  come  to  bid  me  fly; 
but  I  wait  for  him.  *  *  *  At  this  late  hour  a  wagon  has  been 
procured;  I  have  had  it  filled  with  the  plate  and  most  valuable 
portable  articles  belonging  to  the  house.  Whether  it  will  reach  its 
destination,  the  Bank  of  Maryland,  or  fall  into  the  hands  of  British 
soldiery,  events  must  determine. 

"  Our  kind  friend,  Mr.  Carroll,  has  come  to  hasten  my  departure, 
11* 


250  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

and  is  in  a  very  bad  humor  with  me,  because  I  insist  on  waiting 
until  the  large  picture  of  General  Washington  is  secured,  and  it 
requires  to  be  unscrewed  from  the  wall.  This  process  was  found 
too  tedious  for  these  perilous  moments;  I  have  ordered  the  frame 
to  be  broken  and  the  canvas  taken  out.  It  is  done,  and  the  pre- 
cious portrait  is  placed  in  the  hands  of  two  gentlemen  of  New 
York  for  safe-keeping.  And  now,  dear  sister,  I  must  leave  this 
house,  or  the  retreating  army  will  make  me  a  prisoner  in  it,  by  fill- 
ing up  the  road  I  am  directed  to  take.  When  I  shall  again  write 
to  you,  or  where  I  shall  be  to-morrow,  I  cannot  tell." 

Such  was  the  truly  gallant  conduct  of  this  admirable 
woman  on  a  most  trying  occasion,  and  such  her  tender 
anxieties  for  the  husband  from  whom  she  would  never 
permit  herself  to  be  separated  for  more  than  a  day  or 
two,  during  their  forty-two  years  of  married  life. 

"When  Mrs.  Madison  did  the  honors  of  the  Presiden- 
tial house,  on  the  news  of  peace,  in  1815,  she  was  in  the 
meridian  of  her  life  and  queenly  beauty.  She  was  de- 
scribed on  that  occasion  as  radiant  with  joy,  and  dis- 
pensing hospitalities  and  exchanging  congratulations 
with  unrivaled  grace.  Washington  Irving  mentioned 
her  "  as  a  fine,  portly,  buxom  dame,  who  has  a  smile  and 
a  pleasant  word  for  everybody."  Her  sisters,  Mrs.  Cutts 
and  Mrs.  Washington,  he  playfully  compared  to  "the 
merry  wives  of  Windsor." 

During  the  remainder  of  Madison's  administration  he 
lived  in  a  private  house,  but  continued  to  receive  and 
entertain  company  with  undiminished  hospitality.  At 
the  close  of  his  second  term,  March,  1817,  he  quitted 
Washington,  and  returned  to  his  mountain  home — Mont- 
pelier — where  he  passed  the  remaining  years  of  his  life, 


MRS.   MADISON.  251 

with  annual  visits  to  Charlottesville,  to  serve  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Visitors  of  the  University.  One 
visit  he  paid  to  Richmond,  in  1829,  to  preside  over  the 
Convention  called  to  revise  the  Constitution  of  Virginia. 
-Mrs.  Madison  always  accompanied  him  on  these  excur- 
sions ;  and  when  they  went  to  Charlottesville  they  were 
the  guests  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  as  long  as  he  lived. 

The  following  letter  from  Judge  William  Johnson, 
of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  to  Mrs.  Madison, 
may  show  the  estimation  in  which  she  was  held,  and  the 
general  feeling  at  her  departure  from  Washington  : — 

"  WASHINGTON,  1817. 

"I  am  this  moment  on  the  eve  of  leaving  "Washington,  and  shall 
leave  it  without  a  parting  interview  with  one  whom  I  must  be 
indulged  in  the  liberty  of  comprising  among  the  most  respected  and 
most  cherished  of  my  friends. 

"But  you,  madam,  cannot  mistake  the  feelings  which  dictate  to 
me  this  mode  of  making  you  an  humble  tender  of  a  most  affection- 
ate adieu. 

"  You  are  now  about  to  enter  upon  the  enjoyment  of  the  most 
enviable  state  which  can  fall  to  the  lot  of  mankind— to  carry  with 
you  to  your  retirement  the  blessings  of  all  who  ever  knew  you. 
Think  not,  madam,  that  I  address  to  you  the  language  of  flattery. 
It  is  what  no  one  but  yourself  would  hesitate  at  conceding.  And 
be  assured  that  all  who  have  ever  enjoyed  the  honor  of  your 
acquaintance,  will  long  remember  that  polite  condescension  which 
never  failed  to  encourage  the  diffident,  that  suavity  of  manner 
which  tempted  the  morose  or  thoughtful  to  be  cheerful,  or  that 
benevolence  of  aspect  which  suffered  no  one  to  turn  from  you 
without  an  emotion  of  gratitude. 

"Permit,  madam,  one  who  has  shared  his  due  proportion  of 
your  attentions  to  make  you  a  sincere  tender  of  the  most  heartfelt 
gratitude  and  respect,  and  to  wish  that  you  may  long  enjoy  every 
blessing  that  Heaven  dispenses  to  the  meritorious. 


252  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

"Do  me  the  favor  to  tender  to  Mr.  Madison  also  a  respectful 
adieu,  and  a  cordial  and  sincerely  friendly  one  to  your  son. 
"  Very  respectfully, 

"  WILLIAM  JOHXSOX,  JE." 

Montpelier  was  a  beautiful  place,  less  than  a  day's 
journey  from  Monticello,  whence  the  Blue  Eidge  could 
be  traced  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  Thus  Jefferson 
and  Madison  were  neighbors  in  the  Virginian  accepta- 
tion of  the  term.  The  tranquillity  and  dignity  of 
domestic  retirement  were  very  agreeable  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Madison.  Their  house  was  large  and  commodious, 
arranged  more  with  a  view  to  comfort  than  ornament, 
and  stood  at  the  foot  of  a  lofty  and  densely  wooded  hill, 
commanding  a  view  of  scenery  remarkable  for  its  pic- 
turesque beauty.  There  was  a  fine  garden  and  grounds, 
and  an  extensive  lawn  shaded  by  forest  trees.  The 
place  was  called  "Montpelier"  on  account  of  the  salu- 
brity of  the  situation.  One  wing  of  the  building  was 
appropriated  entirely  to  the  use  of  the  venerable  mother 
of  Madison ;  it  had  offices  and  a  garden  attached  to  it. 
The  aged  matron  was  attended  by  her  old  family  ser- 
vants, and  surrounded  by  children  and  grandchildren. 
Thus  under  one  roof  were  exhibited  the  customs  of  the 
end  and  the  beginning  of  a  century.  By  opening  a  door, 
you  passed  from  the  refined  elegancies  and  the  gayeties 
of  modern  life,  into  all  that  was  venerable  and  dignified 
in  by-gone  days;  from  airy  apartments  and  windows 
opening  to  the  ground  and  hung  with  light  silken 
drapery — from  French  furniture,  light  fancy  chairs,  gay 


MKS.  iiADisojsr.  253 


carpets,  &c.,  to  solid  and  heavy,  carved  and  polished 
mahogany  furniture,  darkened  by  age  ;  to  the  thick,  rich 
curtains  and  comfortable  adjustments  of  our  great-grand- 
mothers' time.  It  was  a  great  favor  to  gay  visitors  to 
be  permitted  to  pay  their  respects  to  the  President's 
mother.  She  usually  sat  upon  a  couch,  beside  which 
stood  a  small  table,  nearly  covered  with  large,  dark, 
well-worn  quarto  and  folio  volumes.  "The  venerable 
matron  closed  one  of  them,  and  took  up  her  knitting. 
'  Look  at  my  fingers,'  she  said  ;  '  you  will  perceive  I 
have  not  been  idle.'  Delicate  fingers  they  were,  and 
polished  by  knitting.  '  I  owe  every  thing  to  h&rj  she 
added,  pointing  to  her  daughter-in-law,  Mrs.  Madison. 
'  She  is  my  mother  now,  and  tenderly  cares  for  all  my 
wants.'  Never  was  Mrs.  Madison  so  lovely  in  her 
splendid  drawing-rooms,  surrounded  by  courtly  and 
brilliant  circles,  the  center  of  attraction  —  never  so  esti- 
mable, as  in  her  loving  attendance  on  this  venerable 
woman."  She  took  delight  in  the  society  of  the  young, 
and  participated  in  their  pleasures,  to  which  she  always 
contributed  by  her  presence.  A  more  affectionate  and 
devoted  wife  never  existed  ;  and  tenderly  did  she  soothe 
and  comfort  her  husband  in  his  long  imprisonment  with 
illness. 

An  extract  from  one  of  her  letters  to  Mrs.  Kichard 
Cutts  is  illustrative  of  life  at  Montpelier  at  the  period 
when  it  was  written  :  — 

"  MONTPELIER,  July  5,  1820. 

"  I  have  just  received  yours,  my  dear  sister,  and  rejoice  that 
VOM  are  all  well.  ****** 


254  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

"  Yesterday  we  had  ninety  persons  to  dine  with  us  at  one  table, 
fixed  on  the  lawn,  under  a  large  arbor.  The  dinner  was  profuse 
and  handsome,  and  the  company  very  orderly.  Many  of  your  old 
acquaintances  were  here — among  them  the  two  Barbours.  We 
had  no  ladies  except  Mother  Madison,  Mrs.  Macon,  and  Nelly 
Willis.  The  day  was  cool  and  all  pleasant.  Half  a  dozen  only 
staid  all  night,  and  are  now  about  to  depart.  President  Monroe's 
letter  this  morning  announces  the  French  Minister;  we  expect  him 
this  evening,  or  perhaps  sooner,  though  he  may  not  come  until  to 
morrow;  but  I  am  less  worried  here  with  a  hundred  visitors  than 
with  twenty-five  in  Washington,  this  summer  especially.  I  wish 
you  had  just  such  a  country  home  as  this,  as  I  truly  believe  it  is 
the  happiest  and  most  independent  life,  and  would  be  best  for  your 
children.  **.***** 

t;  Your  devoted  sister, 

"D.  P.  MADISON." 


Within  a  few  months  after  Mrs.  Madison  had  been 
bereaved  of  her  husband,  her  health  utterly  failed ;  and 
during  the  winter  of  1836-37,  she  suffered  greatly  from 
a  painful  affection  of  the  eyes ;  being  compelled  to  keep 
her  bed,  with  closely  drawn  curtains,  for  the  greater 
part  of  the  time.  As  the  spring  advanced  she  began  to 
recover;  and,  as  her  physician  earnestly  recommended 
change  of  air  and  scene,  she  went  to  spend  part  of  the 
summer  at  the  White  Sulphur  Springs,  in  Virginia.  At 
the  end  of  August  she  returned  to  Montpelier,  much  im- 
proved in  health.  On  many  accounts  she  dreaded  the 
solitude  of  a  winter  residence  at  this  mountain  home. 
Her  brother  John  and  his  family,  who  had  been  living 
for  many  years  in  her  immediate  neighborhood,  in  that 
autumn  removed  to  Kentucky,  leaving  one  of  his  daugh- 
ters— Anna  Payne — in  the  charge  of  Mrs.  Madison.  It 


MRS.   MADISON.  255 

was,  therefore,  not  surprising  to\  her  friends  that  she 
decided  on  another  visit  to  Washington.  She  owned  a 
house  situated  in  the  most  pleasant  part  of  the  city,  near 
to  the  children  of  her  sister  Anna  and  to  many  of  her 
most  valued  friends.  These,  and  indesd  the  whole  so- 
ciety of  Washington,  including  many  who  were  strangers 
to  her,  warmly  welcomed  her  return  in  1837. 

Finding  a  residence  here  more  congenial  to  her  feel- 
ings, she  remained  in  Washington,  with  occasional  visits 
to  Montpelier.  If  she  could  not  enjoy  social  gayeties  as 
she  formerly  did,  her  benevolence  and  sympathy  for 
those  in  distress  were  as  lively  as  ever.  Many  times  did 
she  interpose  with  aid  in  cases  of  suffering  or  injustice, 
and  her  charities  were  limited  only  by  her  means. 
These  became  much  straitened  in  the  later  years  of  her 
life ;  and  the  loss  of  fortune  was  felt  most  severely  by 
her  in  the  deprivation  of  her  ability  to  extend  liberal 
assistance  to  the  needy,  and  to  entertain  the  friends  to 
whom  her  sincere  and  tender  heart  clung  with  undevi- 
ating  affection. 

It  was  a  sad  day  for  her  when  her  pecuniary  embai 
rassments  compelled  Mrs.  Madison  to  consent  to  the  sale 
of  Montpelier.  In  1842,  accompanied  by  her  niece,  Miss 
Payne,  and  her  nephew,  Richard  D.  Cutts,  she  visited 
Philadelphia,  and  thence  proceeded  to  New  York,  where 
the  party  spent  a  few  days  at  the  Astor  House  before 
returning  to  Washington. 

Mrs.  Madison  was  one  of  the  guests  on  board  the 
Princeton,  at  the  time  of  the  explosion  of  the  "  big  gun  " 


256  QUEENS  OP  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

in  1844.  The  catastrophe  occurred  immediately  after 
dinner,  while  most  of  the  ladies  were  in  the  cabin,  hav- 
ing fortunately  lingered  there  to  hear  some  merry  songs 
by  the  young  people.  It  was  in  the  same  year  that  the 
House  of  Eepresentatives  paid  to  Mrs.  Madison  an 
unusual  and  signal  mark  of  respect,  by  offering  her 
the  privilege  of  a  seat  on  the  floor  of  the  Hall,  whenever 
she  might  desire  to  attend  the  sittings.  This  was  a  testi- 
mony of  homage  never  before  or  since  offered  to  a  lady. 

The  noble  qualities  of  head  and  heart  which  distin- 
guished Mrs.  Madison  were  crowned  by  deep  and  fervent 
piety.  She  was  constant  in  her  attendance,  while  resi- 
dent in  Washington,  at  the  Episcopal  Church  of  St. 
John's,  which  was  built  during  Madison's  administra- 
tion; and  on  her  return  she  found  her  old  friend  still  the 
rector.  She  was  confirmed  as  a  member  of  the  church 
by  Bishop  Whittingham,  of  Maryland. 

In  the  last  year  of  her  life  she  suffered  from  extreme 
debility,  but  her  mental  faculties  were  not  in  the  least 
impaired.  Her  memory  was  often  busy  with  the  past ; 
she  would  have  old  letters  read  to  her,  and  seemed  to 
connect  with  them  associations  unknown  to  those  around 
her.  She  took  great  delight  in  hearing  the  Bible  read. 
It  was  while  listening  to  a  portion  of  the  Gospel  of  St. 
John — the  part  of  the  New  Testament  which  she  most 
loved — that  she  sank  into  her  last  peaceful  slumber. 
The  sleep  lasted  so  long  as  to  cause  alarm ;  and  when 
the  physician  was  summoned,  he  pronounced  it  slow 
apoplexy.  For  two  days  she  lingered,  apparently  with- 


ELEANOR  PARK  CUSTIS.  257 

out  suffering,  and  only  occasionally  roused  to  a  con- 
sciousness manifested  rather  by  loving  smiles  bestowed 
on  those  around  her  than  by  words.  She  died  on  the 
8th  of  July,  1849.  The  funeral  took  place  on  the  llth. 
The  body,  incased  in  a  sarcophagus,  was  temporarily 
deposited  in  a  vault  in  the  Congressional  Cemetery.  In 
January,  1858,  the  sacred  remains  were  removed  by 
Mrs.  Madison's  nephew,  Mr.  Richard  D.  Cutts,  to  the 
family  burial-ground  at  Montpelier,  and  placed  by  the 
side  of  her  husband.  A  separate  monument  was  erected 
to  her  memory;  a  monument  to- Mr.  Madison  having 
already  been  put  up  the  year  previously  by  his  friends 
in  Virginia. 


Eleanor  Parke  Custis  was  considered  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  and  brilliant  women  of  her  day.  Her  portrait 
is  preserved  with  care  among  the  treasures  at  Arlington 
House.  She  was  the  grand-daughter  of  Mrs.  Washing- 
ton, with  whom  she  lived.  She  was  never  suffered  to 
waste  her  time  in  idleness ;  being  required,  in  addition 
to  other  studies,  to  practice  the  harpsichord  four  or  five 
hours  daily.  One  day,  not  hearing  the  music,  Mrs. 
Washington  came  down  stairs,  and  remarked  that  she 
had  heard  some  one  go  out  of  the  house,  so  that  the 
young  lady  must  have  had  a  visitor.  Noticing  a  blemish 
on  the  wall,  which  had  been  newly  painted  cream  color, 
she  exclaimed :  "  Ah,  it  was  no  Federalist !"  pointing  to 
the  spot  just  over  the  settee ;  "  none  but  a  filthy  Demo- 


258  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

crat  would  mark  a  place  with  his  good-for-nothing  head 
in  that  manner !" 

In  the  beginning  of  1798  Eleanor  was  a  blooming 
girl,  exceedingly  attractive  in  person  and  manners,  and 
a  great  favorite  with  General  Washington.  Lawrence 
Lewis,  Washington's  favorite  nephew — the  son  of  his 
sister  Elizabeth — was  at  that  time  living  at  Mount 
Yernon,  and  learned  to  love  Nelly  Custis.  But  a  seem- 
ing rival  arose  in  the  person  of  Charles  Carroll  of  Carroll- 
ton,  who  had  just  returned  from  Europe,  accomplished, 
well  educated,  and  adorned  with  the  social  graces 
derived  from  foreign  travel.  Young  Custis  was  pleased 
with  Carroll,  and,  being  anxious  to  secure  Nelly's  hap- 
piness, wrote  to  the  General  in  April,  1798,  that  he 
thought  it  would  be  a  desirable  match.  Washington 

wrote  in  reply :  "  Young  Mr.  C came  here  about  a 

fortnight  ago  to  dinner,  and  left  us  next  morning  after 
breakfast.  If  his  object  was  such  as  you  say  has  been 
reported,  it  was  not  declared  here,  and  therefore  the 
less  said  upon  the  subject,  particularly,  by  your  sister's 
friends,  the  more  prudent  it  will  be,  until  the  subject 
developes  itself  more." 

Other  suitors,  meanwhile,  came  to  Mount  Yernon, 
and  paid  homage  to  the  wit  and  beauty  of  Miss  Custis. 
She  wrote  to  a  friend: '"I  was  young  and  romantic 
then,  and  fond  of  wandering  alone  by  moonlight  in  the 
woods  of  Mount  Yernon.  Grandmamma  thought  it 
wrong  and  unsafe,  and  scolded  and  coaxed  me  into  a 
promise  that  I  would  not  wander  in  the  woods  again 


ELEANOR   PARK   CUSTIS.  259 

unaccompanied.  But  I  was  missing  one  evening,  and 
was  brought  home  from  the  interdicted  woods  to  the 
drawing-room,  where  the  General  was  walking  up  and 
down  with  his  hands  behind  him,  as  was  his  wont. 
Grandmamma,  seated  in  her  great  arm-chair,  opened  a 
severe  reproof." 

Poor  Nelly,  taxed  with  delinquency,  admitted  her 
fault,  and  offered  no  excuse — but  when  there  was  a  slight 
pause,  she  moved  to  leave  the  room.  She  was  just 
closing  the  door  behind  her,  when  she  overheard  the 
General  attempting,  in  a  low  voice,  to  intercede  in  her 
behalf.  "  My  dear,"  he  said,  "  I  would  say  no  more ; 
perhaps  she  was  not  alone." 

This  intercession  stopped  Miss  Nelly  in  her  retreat. 
She  opened  the  door  again  quickly,  and  walked  up  to 
the  General  with  a  firm  step.  "  Sir,"  she  said,  "  you 
brought  me  up  to  speak  the  truth;  and  when  I  told 
Grandmamma  I  was  alone,  I  hope  you  believe  I  was 
alone." 

The  General  made  one  of  his  magnanimous  bows, 
and  replied,  "  My  child,  I  beg  your  pardon." 

Eleanor  was  married  to  Lawrence  Lewis  on  the 
birthday  of  the  Chief|  1799. 

It  was  a  bright  day  in  the  early  spring  of  the  South. 
The  flowers  were  budding  in  the  hedges ;  the  bluebird, 
making  its  way  cautiously  northward,  gave  out  a  few 
joyous  notes  in  the  garden ;  and  nature  seemed  to  sym- 
pathize in  the  hilarity  that  prevailed  at  Mount  Yernon 
on  that  auspicious  February  morning.  The  bride  was 


260  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

dearly  loved  by  her  relatives ;  Major  Lewis  was  near 
his  uncle's  heart  for  the  sake  of  his  dead  mother,  who 
bore  so  striking  a  resemblance  to  the  great  Chief,  that 
sometimes,  when  in  sport  she  would  put  a  chapeau  on 
her  head  and  throw  a  military  cloak  over  her  shoulders, 
she  might  easily  have  been  mistaken  for  himself. 

It  was  the  bride's  wish  that  the  General  should  wear 
on  that  occasion  the  splendid  embroidered  uniform 
which  the  board  of  general  officers  had  adopted;  but 
Washington  would  not  appear  in  a  costume  bedizened 
with  tinsel ;  preferring  the  plain  old  continental  blue 
and  buff,  with  a  modest  black  ribbon  and  eookade.  The 
magnificent  white  plumes  which  General  Pinckney  had 
presented  to  him  he  gave  to  the  bride  ;  and  to  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Davis,  the  rector  of  Christ  Church,  Alexandria, 
who  performed  the  marriage  ceremony,  he  gave  an 
elegant  copy  of  Mrs.  Macaulay's*  "  History  of  England," 
in  eight  volumes,  telling  him  they  were  written  by  a 
remarkable  woman,  who  had  visited  America  many 
years  before.  She  had  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  1785  to 
see  General  Washington. 

Mrs.  Mary  Custis,  of  Arlington,  the  wife  of  Mrs. 
Washington's  grandson,  was  the  daughter  of  William 
Fitzhugh,  of  Chatham.  Bishop  Meade  says :  "  Scarcely 
was  there  a  Christian  lady  more  honored ;  none  more 
loved  and  esteemed." 

Mrs.  Marshall,  the  wife  of  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  of 

*  Catharine  Macaulay  Graham. 


MRS.   MARSHALL — MRS.   SITGREAVES.  261 

Kichmond,  Virginia,  was  devoted  to  her  husband.  After 
her  death,  in  1831,  he  often  repeated  General  Burgoyne's 
lines,  substituting  "  Mary  "  for  "  Anna  " : — 

"  Encompassed  in  an  angel's  frame, 

An  angel's  virtues  lay; 
Too  soon  did  Heaven  assert  its  claim, 
And  take  its  own  away. 

"My  Mary's  worth,  my  Mary's  charms, 

Can  never  more  return ; 
What  now  shall  fill  these  widowed  arms  I 
Ah  me  I  my  Mary's  urn! 
Ah  mel  ah  me!  my  Mary's  urnl" 

An  intimate  friend  of"  Nelly  Custis"  was  Mary  A. 
Sitgreaves,  the  second  child  of  Colonel  Daniel  Kemper, 
of  the  Revolutionary  army.  She  was  born  in  New  York, 
in  April,  1774.  Her  early  associations  were  with  per- 
sons distinguished  in  those  times.  When  New  York 
was  threatened  by  the  British,  her  father  removed  his 
family  to  Morristown,  New  Jersey.  While  the  head- 
quarters of  General  Washington  were  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, Miss  Kemper  was  in  the  habit  of  playing  about 
the  Chiefs  premises,  and  now  and  then  running  into  his 
marquee.  Mrs.  Washington  one  day  was  busy  in  ar- 
ranging the  camp-stools  and  putting  things  to  rights, 
when  the  little  visitor  presented  herself.  The  General 
seized  her,  placed  her  upon  his  knee,  and  had  a  long 
talk  with  her.  This  incident  she  often  referred  to  with 
pleasure. 

During  the  Presidency  of  Washington,  Miss  Kemper 
became  prominent  in  the  circles  of  the  republican  court 


262  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

for  her  great  beauty  and  the  fascination  of  her  manners. 
In  the  Capital  she  attracted  much  attention,  and  was  a 
welcome  guest  at  Mrs.  Washington's  at  all  times.  She 
was  on  a  visit  at  the  house  of  her  uncle,  the  celebrated 
Dr.  David  Jackson,  of  Philadelphia,  when  she  first  met 
Hon.  Samuel  Sitgreaves,  a  member  of  Congress,  in  the 
President's  drawing-room.  Love  at  first  sight  ensued, 
and  she  was  married  to  him  in  June,  1796. 

Once  hearing  a  sermon  on  the  birthday  of  Washing- 
ton, Mrs.  Sitgreaves  described  a  birthnight-ball  she  had 
attended,  in  company  with  him  and  Mrs.  Washington, 
just  fifty-six  years  before ;  Mrs.  Washington  appearing 
dressed  in  black  velvet  trimmed  with  silver  lace,  and 
Mrs.  Knox  in  green  velvet  decorated  with  gold.  She 
and  Eleanor  Custis  had  their  hair  arranged  by  the  hair- 
dresser, long  previous  to  the  fete,  and  then  had  a  frolic 
in  the  garden,  on  the  afternoon  preceding  it ;  she  pluck- 
ing snow-balls  from  the  tree  and  showering  the  blossoms 
over  her  friend's  head.  They  stuck  fast,  and  formed  a 
most  admired  addition  to  the  head-dress  in  the  evening. 

On  the  adjournment  of  Congress,  Mrs.  Sitgreaves 
accompanied  her  husband  to  Easton,  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  appointed  Minister  to  England  during  the  Presi- 
dency of  the  elder  Adams,  and  was  in  Congress  several 
years.  Their  home  was  in  Easton  till  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Sitgreaves,  who  long  survived  her  husband,  and  died  in 
November,  1864.  She  retained  her  faculties  unimpaired 
and  clear  to  the  last  moment  of  her  existence,  and  her 
firm  faith  in  her  Redeemer  was  a  consolation  to  her 


MKS.  WALLACE.  263 

bereaved  children,  and  a  bright  example  to  all  who 
knew  her,  as  had  been  her  life  of  active  Christian  duty 
and  cheerful  benevolence.  The  church  was  her  beloved, 
and  she  was  always  ready  for  every  good  word  and 
work. 

Mrs.  Susan  Wallace,  the  mother  of  Horace  Binney 
Wallace,  was  eminent  for  the  noble  grace  of  her  deport- 
ment. Her  mother,  Mrs.  Mary  Binney,  lived  opposite 
Washington's  house  in  Philadelphia.  The  daughter  of 
Mrs.  Wallace,  who  married  John  Bradford  Wallace,  died 
in  1819.  The  Eev.  Herman  Hooker  said  of  her,  "No 
praise  befits  the  character  of  such  a  person  but  a  truthful 
and  grateful  mention  of  her  virtues.  She  was  a  model 
of  a  woman."  She  was  born  February  22d,  1778,  and 
was  just  entering  society  in  the  last  years  of  Washing- 
ton's administration.  Her  husband  was  the  nephew  of 
Mr.  Bradford,  the  second  Attorney  General  of  the  Uni 
ted  States. 


264  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 


XII. 

•  ONE  of  the  most  distinguished  and  charming  women 
who  gave  a  character  of  elegance  and  high-bred  grace  to 
the  best  circle  in  "Washington  society,  was  the  wife  of 
General  Van  Ness.  She  was  the  daughter  of  David 
Burns,  a  gentleman  of  excellent  family,  who  inherited  a 
fine  estate  near  the  Potomac,  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia, and  held  the  office  of  civil  magistrate  while  attend- 
ing to  the  interests  of  his  large  plantation.  He  married 
Miss  White,  a  young  lady  also  of  highly  respectable 
family.  Marcia  was  their  only  daughter,  born  on  the 
plantation  now  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  city  of 
Washington.  She  grew  up  a  lovely  girl,  light  as  a  fairy 
in  form,  with  a  face  of  innocent  beauty,  and  manners  so 
arch  and  engaging  that  all  who  saw  her  were  attracted. 
She  was  placed  at  school  in  Georgetown,  where  she  re- 
ceived a  good  education,  with  the  accomplishments 
necessary  for  a  young  lady  entitled  to  move  in  the  most 
refined  society.  After  completing  her  studies,  she  was 
sent  for  "finishing"  to  Baltimore,  where  she  lived  in  the 
family  of  Luther  Martin,  then  at  the  height  of  his  repu- 
tation as  the  most  eminent  jurist  and  advocate  in  Mary- 
land. He  was  a  friend  of  Mr.  Burns.  Marcia  had 
formed  an  intimacy  with  his  daughter  at  the  George- 


MRS.  VAN  NESS.  265 

town  boarding-school,  and  the  two  enjoyed  the  best 
opportunities  and  were  well  pleased  to  go  into  society 
together.  The  conversation  of  Martin  often  turned  on 
public  affairs,  and  his  enthusiasm  kindled  in  the  young 
girl  the  patriotic  and  philanthropic  spirit  which  impelled 
her  in  after  life  to  an  earnest  interest  in  public  matters. 
Her  brother  at  the  same  time  studied  law  with  Martin. 
This  brother  died  young.  Miss  Burns  returned  to  her 
home  about  1799  or  1800,  not  long  before  her  father's 
death.  From  him  she  inherited  a  large  fortune. 

The  seat  of  National  Government  was  removed  to 
Washington  in  May,  1802.  Miss  Burns  was  much 
sought  after  and  admired  for  her  personal  charms  and 
intellectual  acquirements,  as  well  as  for  the  endowment 
of  wealth ;  she  was,  indeed,  from  the  first,  one  of  the 
most  prominent  belles  of  Washington,  and  received  at 
her  father's  house  all  who  were  distinguished  in  the  po- 
litical as  well  as  the  fashionable  world  throughout  the 
United  States.  Mrs.  Madison  was  one  of  her  most  inti- 
mate friends.  At  the  age  of  twenty  she  married  Hon. 
John  P.  Yan  Ness,  member  of  Congress  for  New  York, 
a  gentleman  of  ancient  and  distinguished  .family.  He 
became  a  resident  of  Washington,  and  their  home  was 
we  of  the  most  brilliant  and  agreeable  in  the  Capital. 
Mouthful  as  she  was,  the  beautiful  and  accomplished 
Mrs.  Yan  Ness  was  regarded  as  a  leader  in  the  most 
telect  circle,  and  as  a  model  of  all  that  is  charming  in 
the  character  of  a  lady.  The  principal  men  in  the 
national  councils,  and  those  who  had  gained  distinction 


266  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

in  political  life,  did  homage  to  her  varied  powers,  her 
grace  and  dignity,  and  the  charms  of  her  sprightly  con- 
versation. 

Her  splendid  house  on  Mansion  Square  was  surround- 
ed by  beautiful  shrubs  and  evergreens,  with  flowers  of 
the  choicest  variety ;  the  woodbine  and  multiflora  creep- 
ing up  the  sides  of  the  building.  This  was  her  residence 
after  quitting  the  cottage  in  which  she  had  been  born 
and  passed  her  childhood.  This  house  was  noted  for 
elegant  hospitality,  in  small  social  gatherings  as  well  as 
in  more  splendid  entertainments,  and  the  success  of  Mrs. 
Van  Ness  in  drawing  around  her  the  refined  and  culti- 
vated, superior  to  the  frivolous  butterflies  of  fashion, 
made  it  a  most  desirable  thing  to  have  the  pleasure  of 
her  acquaintance.  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  Henry  Clay, 
President  Monroe,  General  Jackson,  Mr.  Calhoun,  Mr. 
McDuffie,  Daniel  Webster,  Mr.  Hayne,  and  many  other 
noted  celebrities,  were  on  intimate  terms  Math  General 
Van  Ness,  and  were  frequent  visitors;  the  foreign  min- 
isters also  sought  the  society  of  a  lady  whose  receptions 
were  so  agreeable,  and  whose  social  gifts  were  so  capti- 
vating. In  the  bloom  of  her  loveliness  Mrs.  Yan  Ness 
was  remarkable  for  a  complexion  of  dazzling  fairness. 
Her  features  were  regular,  and  her  face  was  bright  with 
expression  ;  her  smile  was  most  bewitching ;  her  eyes,  a 
soft  hazel,  were  full  of  fire ;  her  form,  though  she  was 
not  tall,  was  exquisite  in  symmetry.  The  great  charm 
of  her  presence  was  her  perfect  ease  and  refinement  of 
manner ;  a  gracious  affability  combined  with  dignity 


MRS.  VAN  NESS.  267 

that  bespoke  true  elevation  of  mind.  She  was  full  of 
vivacity  in  conversation,  possessing  a  rich  fund  of  humor, 
and  her  poetic  fancy  gave  a  coloring  to  her  thoughts  and 
opinions.  This  taste  for  poetry  led  her  now  and  then  to 
metrical  effusions;  and  her  friends  were  accustomed  to 
be  facetious  about  her  family  name  of  Burns,  averring 
that  she  was  of  kin  to  the  poet ;  though  probably  no  re- 
lationship existed. 

The  only  daughter  of  Mrs.  Yan  Ness — Ann  Elber- 
tina — was  a  lovely  girl,  and  became,  in  her  early  bloom, 
the  ornament  and  delight  of  society.  She  was  not  only 
the  darling,  but  the  intelligent  companion  of  her  mother, 
whose  delight  it  was  to  teach  her,  and  impress  her  mind 
with  the  solemn  truths  of  religion.  The  two  entered 
into  each  other's  feelings  with  a  sympathy  not  often  seen 
even  in  that  near  and  sacred  relation.  Mrs.  Yan  Ness 
was  not  satisfied,  in  the  midst  of  her  social  triumphs, 
with  dominion  over  the  world  of  fashion.  She  felt  herself 
called  upon  to  act  a  higher  and  nobler  part  in  society 
than  that  of  a  minister  to  its  fleeting  pleasures.  The 
charity  which  in  her  always  abounded,  had  its  root  in 
that  true  love  of  God  which  leads  to  good  works.  Her 
piety  was  enlightened  by  the  faith  in  the  Redeemer  that 
brings  every  thought  into  subjection  to  the  obedience  of 
Christ,  and  produces  fruits  such  as  He  approved.  Her 
influence  was  always  genial ;  her  example  ever  noble 
and  elevating ;  her  friendships  were  true  and  warm  ; 
but  these  were  not  enough  to  fill  her  ideal  of  Christian 
duty.  Th,e  sympathy  that  takes  in  humanity,  the  be- 


268  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

nevolence  that  springs  from  earnest  religious  feeling,  the 
beneficence  that  spreads  its  fostering  care  over  all  who 
need  it,  without  respect  of  persons — the  deep  humility 
that  disclaims  all  thought  of  merit — grew  in  her  heart, 
regenerated  as  it  was  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  She  became 
a  ministering  angel  to  the  sick  and  suffering ;  the  poor 
sought  her  aid  and  received  both  counsel  and  assistance ; 
she  found  her  greatest  delight  in  comforting  the  afflicted. 

"  Distress  but  gleaned  from  others'  store, 
From  hers  it  reaped  a  plenteous  dole." 

Her  good  deeds  were  unostentatious — her  gentle  and 
loving  ministrations  unnoticed,  while  they  brought  balm 
to  many  a  wounded  heart.  Prayer  and  thankfulness 
were  continual  in  her  household,  and  she  took  part  in 
social  prayers  for  the  diffusion  of  the  Gospel.  Her  taste 
for  the  beautiful  in  nature  and  the  arts  was  sublimed  by 
her  devotion  to  the  good. 

Her  beloved  daughter,  so  like  her  in  all  Christian 
graces,  returned  in  1820  from  school  in  Philadelphia, 
and  two  years  afterwards  was  married  to  Arthur  Mid- 
dleton,  of  South  Carolina.  The  young  wife  went  to 
visit  her  husband's  friends  in  his  native  State,  and  then 
returned  to  Washington.  She  died  of  malignant  fever 
shortly  afterwards,  giving  birth  to  a  child,  who  also 
perished. 

Mrs.  Van  Ness  never  recovered  from  the  shock  of 
this  bereavement.  From  the  day  of  her  daughter's 
death  she  bade  adieu  to  the  gay  world,  and  mingled  no 


MRS.  VAN  NESS.  269 

more  in  fashionable  assemblages.  She  selected  a  retired 
room  in  the  cottage  where  her  parents  lived  and  died, 
and  would  often  go  to  that  venerated  place  for  medita- 
tion. The  allurements  of  society  could  no  longer  draw 
her  from  the  remembrance  of  the  happiness  she  had  lost. 
But  her  faith  was  too  firmly  grounded  to  permit  the 
Christian  virtues  that  had  taken  root  in  her  character  to 
languish  and  die.  The  fountain  of  her  aifections  con- 
tinued to  pour  forth  a  stream  of  charity.  She  became 
resigned  to  the  will  of  God,  and  sought  consolation  in  a 
more  earnest  devotion  to  her  duties,  both  as  a  wife  and 
as  the  benefactress  of  the  destitute.  It  was  owing  to  her 
persevering  efforts  that  an  institution  was  established 
which  became  an  honor  to  the  Capital — the  Washington 
City  Orphan  Asylum.  With  her  husband's  concurrence 
she  bestowed  on  it  four  thousand  dollars,  besides  many 
small  contributions  from  time  to  time,  and  by  her  inde- 
fatigable exertions  with  friends  in  Congress  she  obtained 
an  act  of  incorporation,  and  a  donation  of  ten  thousand 
dollars  for  its  permanent  support.  She  also  gave  direc- 
tions that  a  legacy  of  a  thousand  dollars  should  be  given 
to  the  institution  after  her  death. 

Mrs.  Yan  Ness  was  thus  the  founder  of  the  asylum, 
though  she  always  acknowledged  the  efficient  co-opera- 
tion of  other  benevolent  ladies.  During  the  administra- 
tion of  President  Madison,  Mrs.  Madison  was  First 
Directress  of  the  Institution ;  but  after  her  departure, 
Mrs.  Van  Ness  was  induced  to  accept  the  office,  which 
she  held  till  her  death.  She  was  truly  a  mother  to  the 


270  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

children  thus  saved,  sheltered,  and  trained  for  heaven 
by  her  instrumentality.  She  did  not  wait  for  those 
"pelted  by  the  pitiless  storm"  of  adversity  to  present 
themselves  at  her  door;  night  and  day  she  sought 
them  out. 

The  grave  of  her  daughter  was  a  holy  place  to  her, 
and  she  resolved  to  make  an  offering  there.  She  built 
the  Alms  House  beside  it. 

The  portrait  of  Mrs.  Yan  Ness  is  still  in  the  Asylum. 
She  is  represented  sitting,  with  three  little  girls  clinging 
to  her  as  if  claiming  protection ;  one  with  its  head  in 
her  lap. 

The  closing  scenes  of  her  life  evinced  the  power  of 
religion  to  give  peace  and  joy  in  the  hour  of  death. 
Her  disregard  of  self  was  apparent,  even  in  her  last 
moments,  and  in  her  last  words  to  her  husband  kneeling 
beside  her.  After  a  long  and  painful  illness,  she  died 
on  the  9th  of  September,  1832,  at  the  age  of  fifty. 

She  was  the  first  American  woman  buried  with  pub- 
lic honors.  The  funeral  took  place  on  the  day  following 
her  death,  and  was  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of 
people.  The  mahogany  coffin,  inclosing  a  leaden  one, 
was  covered  with  black  velvet  without  decoration.  On 
the  breast  was  a  silver  plate,  engraved  with  the  date  of 
her  birth,  marriage,  and  death.  As  the  procession 
began  to  move,  General  Yan  Ness,  who  was  Mayor  of 
Washington,  received  from  a  committee  of  the  citizens 
a  silver  plate  inscribed :  "  The  citizens  of  Washington, 
in  testimony  of  their  veneration  for  departed  worth, 


MRS.  VAN  NESS.  271 

dedicate  this  plate  to  the  memory  of  Marcia  Yan  Ness, 
the  excellent  consort  of  J.  P.  Yan  Ness.  If  piety, 
charity,  high  principle,  and  exalted  worth,  could  have 
averted  the  shafts  of  fate,  she  would  still  have  remained 
among  us,  a  bright  example  of  every  virtue.  The  hand 
of  death  has  removed  her  to  a  purer  and  happier  state 
of  existence ;  and  while  we  lament  her  loss,  let  us  endea- 
vor to  emulate  her  virtues."  Then  followed  dates ;  and 
the  gift  was  accompanied  by  a  copy  of  the  preamble  and 
resolutions. 

At  the  gate  of  the  burial-place  the  little  girls  of  the 
Orphan  Asylum  stood  in  lines,  the  procession  passing 
between  them.  The  coffin  was  placed  at  the  door  of  the 
vault,  and  the  children  came  forward  and  strewed  the 
bier  with  branches  of  weeping- willow,  singing  a  hymn 
of  farewell.  The  funeral  service  was  then  read,  and  the 
deceased  was  laid  beside  her  buried  child. 

The  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Washington  City 
Orphan  Asylum  passed  resolutions  expressive  of  deep 
and  heartfelt  sympathy,  and  testifying  respect  for  the 
character  of  the  departed.  Similar  condolences  were 
offered  by  the  Association  of  Ben  efi pence  of  Trinity 
Church.  Few  ladies,  indeed,  have  ever  occupied  a 
larger  field  of  usefulness,  or  been  more  devotedly  en- 
gaged for  many  years  in  those  labors  of  love  which  the 
Saviour  enjoined  on  his  followers  as  the  evidence  of 
their  discipleship. 


272  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

One  of  the  intimate  friends  of  Mrs.  Yan  Ness,  and 
one  called  by  her  "  the  most  popular  woman  who  was 
ever  in  Washington,"  was  the  wife  of  Levi  Woodbury, 
Secretary  of  the  Navy  during  Jackson's  administration. 
She  was  remarkable  for  her  amiable  temper  and  digni- 
fied elegance  of  deportment.  The  officers  who  came  to 
her  house  on  business  were  treated  by  her  with  uniform 
courtesy  and  kindness ;  the  midshipmen  with  the  same 
urbanity  as  the*  commodore.  Mrs.  Woodbury  was  the 
daughter  of  Hon.  Asa  Clapp,  of  Portland,  the  most 
wealthy  man  at  that  time  in  the  State  of  Maine.  His 
wife  was  Miss  Quincy.  Their  daughter  had  the  advan- 
tage of  an  excellent  education,  and  was  fitted  to  adorn  a 
high  position. 

Mrs.  Louis  McLane  is  mentioned  in  the  letters  of 
Washington  Irving,  and  in  other  publications,  as  promi- 
nent in  fashionable  society  in  Washington.  She  was  the 
eldest  daughter  of  Robert  Milligan,  and  in  1812  married 
the  son  of  Allan  McLane,  of  Delaware.  In  1817  he 
was  elected  member  of  Congress  from  that  State ;  and 
his  liberal,  patriotic  opinions  made  him  the  steady 
advocate  of  internal  improvements  arid  a  just  economy. 
The  pendency  of  the  celebrated  Missouri  question,  and 
the  legislation  in  reference  to  the  admission  of  that 
State,  gave  extraordinary  interest  to  that  year's  Con- 
gress ;  for  a  new  discussion  arose  on  a  much  agitated 
subject.  Mr.  McLane  thought  it  a  member's  duty  to 
vote  according  to  his  own  judgment,  without  regard  to 


MRS.   McLANE — MRS.   LIVINGSTON.  273 

instructions;  and  his  wife  approved  his  course.  He 
took  his  seat  as  United  States  Senator  in  December, 
1827;  and  was  sent  by  President  Jackson  Minister  to 
England  in  May,  1829.  '  His  diplomatic  talents  found 
aid  in  the  courtesy,  grace,  and  dignity  of  his  accom- 
plished wife.  In  1831  McLane  returned  to  take  charge 
of  the  Treasury  Department  in  Jackson's  second  Cabinet ; 
and  in  two  years  he  was  called  to  superintend  the 
Department  of  State. 

While  McLane  was  in  England,  Washington  Irving 
was  entertained  at  his  house.  His  respect  and  admira- 
tion for  Mrs.  McLane  were  manifest  in  his  conversation 
as  well  as  his  letters.  One  of  her  daughters  married 
General  Joseph  Johnson;  another  the  grandson  of 
Alexander  Hamilton. 


Washington  Irving  mentioned  a  Miss  Barney — the 
Bister  of  "Beau  Barney" — as  a  belle  in  Washington, 
and  very  graceful  in  her  deportment. 

Miss  Butt,  of  Norfolk,  the  author  of  "  Anti-Fascina- 
tion"—published  in  reply  to  "  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"— 
was  highly  praised  in  the  Norfolk  journals  as  having 
maintained,  at  Washington,  "the  fame  of  the  'Old 
Dominion'  for.  charms  and  accomplishments,  and  for 
beautiful  women  beyond  reproach." 


Edward  Livingston  married,  in  June,  1805,  the 
young  widow  of  a  Jamaica  agent,  Louise  Moreau  de 
Lassy,  born  Davezac  de  Castera.  Her  beauty  was 


12* 


274  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

described  as  extraordinary,  and  to  wondrous  graces  of 
person  she  added  a  brilliant  intellect.  Livingston's  first 
wife  was  Mary  McEvers.  Eliza  McEvers  became  the 
wife  of  John  R.  Livingston. 

In  1834,  when  Edward  Livingston,  who  had  been 
Secretary  of  State,  accepted  the  appointment  of  Minis- 
ter to  France,  he  was  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Livingston 
and  his  daughter.  Mrs.  Livingston  was  born  in  one  of 
the  West  India  Islands ;  her  family,  driven  from  home 
by  the  horrors  of  revolution,  came  to  New  Orleans. 
Her  brother  was  Minister  from  the  United  States  to  the 
Hague.  She  was  possessed  of  rare  intellectual  attain- 
ments as  well  as  personal  attractions ;  her  manners  were 
gentle  and  refined,  and  she  was  brilliant  in  conversation, 
for  her  well-stored  mind  and  extensive  observation  fitted 
her  to  shine  among  the  cultivated.  Her  daughter,  Cora, 
inherited  her  mental  qualities  and  her  loveliness.  She 
was  in  Washington  with  her  parents  when  it  was  men- 
aced by  the  British  troops,  in  1814.  Amid  the  hurly- 
burly,  says  Parton  in  his  Life  of  Jackson,  "  the  grim 
and  steadfast  warrior  found  time  to  caress  and  love  the 
little  girl  who  sat  on  his  lap  and  played  around  his  high 
splashed  boots  at  head-quarters  while  he  was  busy.  For 
her  sake  he  retained  one  of  his  horses  from  the  public 
service." 

When  Edward  Livingston  did  not  return  to  New 
Orleans,  Major  Mitchell,  the  highest  English  officer  in 
rank  among  the  prisoners,  was  held  as  a  hostage  for  the 
safety  of  the  Americans  in  the  British  fleet.  One  day 


MRS.   BARTON.  275 

General  Jackson,  calling  on  Mrs.  Livingston,  found  her 
in  great  anxiety  about  her  husband.  Cora,  the  little 
girl,  whimpered,  "  When  are  you  going  to  bring  me 
back  my  father,  General?  The  British  will  kill  him." 
The  mighty  man  of  war  stooped,  and  patting  the  little 
one  on  the  head,  said,  "  Don't  cry,  my  child ;  if  the 
British  touch  so  much  as  a  hair  of  your  father's  head,  I'll 
hang  Mitchell." 

Miss  Livingston  was  famous  as  the  belle  of  "Washing- 
ton in  the  time  of  General  Jackson's  administration. 
She  was  married  to  Thomas  Barton,  who  went  as  Secre- 
tary of  Legation  on  the  mission  to  France.  The  party 
traveled  through  Switzerland  and  Germany.  At  Hei- 
delberg, Professor  Mittermaier,  the  voluminous  and  en- 
lightened advocate  of  jurisprudential  reforms  (called  the 
German  Brougham)  received  the  card  of  Mr.  Livingston, 
with  whom  he  had  corresponded.  He  came  to  the  hotel, 
and,  on  seeing  him,  rushed  into  his  arms,  clasped  and 
kissed  him,  to  the  surprise  and  amusement  of  the  ladies. 

When  Mr.  Livingston  returned  home,  Mr.  Barton 
was  left  as  Charge  des  Affaires.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1836,  bringing  water  for  the  fire  between  Jack- 
son and  Louis  Philippe. 

Mrs.  Barton  continued  to  reside  at  Montgomery 
Place  after  her  mother's  death,  in  1860.  Mr.  Living- 
ston's rooms  were  kept  in  the  same  state  as  when  occu- 
pied by  him.  She  has  for  many  years  resided  in  New 
York. 

A   lady  thus   described    an    evening  scene  at  the 


276  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Executive  mansion  in  the  early  part  of  Jackson's 
administration.  "The  large  parlor  was  scantily  fur- 
nished; there  was  light  from  the  chandelier,  and  a 
blazing  fire  in  the  grate ;  four  or  five  ladies  sewing 
round  it;  Mrs.  Donelson,  Mrs.  Andrew  Jackson,  Mrs. 
Edward  Livingston,  &e.  Five  or  six  children  were 
playing  about,  regardless  of  documents  or  work-baskets. 
At  the  farther  end  of  the  room  sat  the  President  in  his 
arm-chair,  wearing  a  long  loose  coat,  and  smoking  a 
long  reed  pipe,  with  bowl  of  red  clay;  combining  the 
dignity  of  the  patriarch,  monarch,  and  Indian  chief. 
Just  behind  was  Edward  Livingston,  the  Secretary  of 
State,  reading  him  a  dispatch  from  the  French  Minister 
for  Foreign  Affairs.  The  ladies  glance  admiringly  now 
and  then  at  the  President,  who  listens,  waving  his  pipe 
towards  the  children  when  they  become  too  boisterous." 


Brief  mention  of  the  wife  of  the  military  President 
may  not  be  inappropriate,  though  she  was  no  social 
leader.  Rachel  Donelson  was  a  dark-eyed  and  dark- 
haired  brunette;  a  gay,  handsome,  and  spirited  lass  "as 
ever  danced  on  the  deck  of  a  flat-boat,  or  took  the  helm 
while  her  father  took  a  shot  at  the  Indians."  Her  first 
husband  was  Lewis  Robards,  of  Kentucky.  She  married 
Jackson  in  1794.  The  last  marriage  was  a  happy  one, 
their  affection  being  elevated  by  mutual  respect,  sympa- 
thy, and  unselfish  kindness.  Mrs.  Jackson,  in  her  hus- 
band's absence,  took  care  of  the  farm  and  a  hundred  and 


MRS.   ANDREW  JACKSON.  277 

iifty  slaves.  She  had  a  wonderful  memory  for  anecdotes 
and  tales  of  pioneer  adventure,  and  had  not  lost  her 
merry  disposition  or  her  liking  for  old-fashioned  dances. 
She  was  short  and  full  in  person,  while  the  General  was 
tall  and  gaunt.  Having  no  children,  they  adopted 
nephews.  The  biographer  of  Jackson  pays  Mrs.  Jackson 
a  tribute  of  praise,  as  exemplary  in  all  relations,  with  a 
warm,  true,  and  excellent  heart,  frank  and  cordial  man- 
ners; liberal  in  hospitality  and  overflowing  with  kind- 
ness. "Aunt  Kachel"  was  loved  by  all  the  young 
people,  and  was  "  the  stay  and  solace  of  her  husband's 
life."  At  a  ball  given  in  New  Orleans,  after  the  peace 
of  1815,  she  mingled  in  the  dance  with  the  merriest. 
She  wrote  graphic  letters  descriptive  of  a  journey  to 
Florida,  and  a  residence  at  Pensacola.  A  new  "  Her- 
mitage" was  built  for  her  abode,  where  hung  her  por- 
trait in  white  satin,  topaz  jewelry,  low  corsage,  and 
short  sleeves.  She  came  to  Washington  with  her  hus- 
band, traveling  with  coach  and  four,  in  the  autumn  of 
1824.  Her  health  was  in  a  precarious  state.  In  1828, 
she  revisited  New  Orleans.  Her  reception  was  a  splen- 
did one ;  a  brilliant  circle  was  assembled  to  wait  upon 
her,  and  fetes  were  given  in  her  honor.  The  huge  old 
family  coach,  which  afterwards  was  among  the  curiosi- 
ties of  the  Hermitage,  was  there  presented  to  her  by  the 
General ;  and  the  set  of  topaz  seen  in  her  portrait,  by 
the  ladies  of  the  city. 

When  Mrs.  Jackson  came  to  the  White  House,  the 
ladies  of  Washington  took  it  on  themselves  to  arrange 


278  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

the  dresses  suitable  for  her.  The  good  lady,  with  her 
homely  bearing  and  country  manners,  was  both  maligned 
and  caricatured  by  the  an ti- Jackson  party.  One  picture 
represented  her  perched  on  a  table,  with  Mrs.  Livingston 
lacing  her  stays.  The  General,  however,  was  blind  to 
any  want  of  fashionable  elegance,  and  always  put  honor 
on  his  "  bonny  brown  wife."  * 


The  high  moral  tone  and  pure  taste  prevalent  in 
"Washington  society  at  this  period  was  illustrated  by  the 
refusal  of  the  ladies  to  visit  or  receive  one  whose  con- 
duct had  been  open  to  reproach,  though  influence  was 
used  in  official  quarters  to  induce  them  to  relent.  The 
President  himself  contended  in  vain  with  their  determi- 
nation.f 


*  See  Parton's  Life  of  Jackson. 

f  Mr.  Parton,  in  his  Life  of  Jackson,  gives  an  account  of  the  origin 
of  the  scandal  about  Mrs.  Eaton.  William  O'Neal  kept  a  tavern  in  Wash- 
ington, at  which  several  Senators  and  officers  boarded.  Major  Katon 
came  first,  in  1818,  and  stayed  there  ten  winters;  Andrew  Jackson  also 
was  a  regular  boarder.  O'Neal  had  a  pretty  daughter,  lively,  saucy,  and 
full  of  repartee.  She  was  married  to  Purser  Timberlake;  but  in  1828 
came  the  news  of  his  death.  There  had  been  some  scandal  in  regard  to 
her  and  Eaton.  Then  the  Major  consulted  Jackson  as  to  the  propriety  of 
his  wedding  the  pretty  widow.  "Why,  yes,  Major,"  replied  the  soldier; 
"  if  you  love  the  woman,  and  she  will  have  you,  marry  her  by  all  means. 
Your  marrying  her  will  disprove  these  charges  and  restore  Peg's  good 
name."  The  marriage  took  place  in  1829. 

No  sooner  was  it  whispered  that  Eaton  was  to  be  a  member  of  Presi- 
dent Jackson's  new  Cabinet  than  the  ladies  at  the  head  of  society  became 
alarmed.  "Peg  O'Neal"  the  wife  of  a  Cabinet  minister,  would  be,  as 
such,  entitled  to  admission  into  their  sacred  circle.  Horrible  1  General 


PURE   TASTE   IN  SOCIETY.  279 

Jackson  was  remonstrated  with  by  a  reverend  gentleman  in  writing,  the 
letter  being  dated  March,  1829.  The  President,  in  his  reply,  repelled  the 
idea  of  judging  his  friend  by  common  rumor  ;_he  believed  Mrs.  Eaton  an 
innocent  and  injured  woman.  The  story  was  fully  investigated  by  Jack- 
son's order ;  certificates  of  Mrs.  Eaton's  good  character  were  produced, 
and  a  mass  of  confidential  manuscript  was  laid  open.  The  President 
brought  to  the  cause  the  fire  and  resolution  he  had  shown  many  years 
before  in  silencing  the  slanders  concerning  Mrs.  Jackson.  The  matter 
got  mixed  up  in  politics  ;  and  suitors  for  Presidential  favor  were  advised 
to  attend  Mrs.  Eaton's  receptions.  She  was  beautiful,  and  full  of  grace- 
ful vivacity.  Gentlemen  were  quite  willing  to  visit  her ;  but  the  lady 
leaders  of  society  refused  to  be  convinced  of  her  worth  by  the  President's 
showing  the  charges  against  her  unsupported  by  testimony.  They  ob- 
stinately declined  receiving  her.  Mrs.  Calhoun  would  not.  though  Mrs. 
Eaton  called  in  company  with  the  Vice-President ;  Mrs.  Berrien  would 
not,  though  Mr.  Berrien  had  been  one  of  the  guests  at  her  wedding;  Mrs. 
Branch  would  not,  though  Mr.  Branch  had  been  taken  into  the  Cabinet 
at  Major  Eaton's  suggestion ;  Mrs.  Ingham  would  not,  though  gossip  had 
not  spared  her  fame.  The  wives  of  foreign  ministers  followed  suit  in 
their  refusal.  Mrs.  Donelson,  the  mistress  of  the  White  House,  though 
compelled  to  receive  Mrs.  Eaton,  would  not  visit  her.  "Any  thing,  uncle, 
I  will  do  for  you ;  but  I  cannot  call  on  Mrs.  Eaton." — "  Then  go  back  to 
Tennessee,  my  dear."  She  went ;  her  husband  gave  up  his  post  of  pri- 
vate secretary  and  went  too;  both  returning  in  a  month.  Thus  was  the 
indomitable  will  of  Andrew  Jackson  in  collision  with  the  will  of  woman. 
Three  weeks  after  the  inauguration  came  Mr.  Van  Buren  as  Secretary  of 
State.  He  was  a  widower;  had  no  daughters;  and  he  was  very  happy 
to  call  upon  and  receive  Mrs.  Eaton,  and  even  to  make  parties  for  her. 
For  more  than  two  years  society  was  divided  into  hostile  parties.  "  Bel- 
lona  "  was  the  sobriquet  given  to  Mrs.  Eaton  in  published  letters.  Baron 
Krudener,  the  Russian  Minister,  and  Vaughan,  the  British,  both  bach- 
elors, got  up  entertainments  to  keep  "  Bellona  "  afloat,  and  she  was  led  by 
the  British  Minister  to  the  head  of  his  table.  Mr.  Van  Buren  appealed  to 
Mrs.  Huygens,  the  wife  of  the  Minister  from  Holland,  to  be  favored  with 
an  introduction  to  "  the  lovely  and  accomplished  Mrs.  Eaton."  The  lady 
avoided  the  advance,  but  finally  accepted  with  reluctance,  one  evening, 
M;ijor  Eaton's  arm  to  supper.  Finding  Mrs.  Eaton  seated  at  the  head  of 
the  table,  beside  her  own  chair,  Mrs.  Huygens  turned  to  her  husband, 
took  his  arm,  and  walked  out  of  the  room.  It  was  said  that  President 
Jackson  threatened,  for  this,  to  send  the  Minister  home  to  Holland. 

Another  similar  failure  occurred  at  a  grand  dinner,  when  Mr.  Vaughan 


280  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN 'SOCIETY. 

led  Mrs.  Eaton  to  the  head  of  the  table — the  President  allowing  the  guests 
to  see  how  much  he  had  her  recognition  at  heart.  Nothing  could  move 
the  inflexible  ladies  of  "Washington.  Even  the  Cabinet  became  divided 
on  the  subject ;  while  Jackson  threw  the  whole  energy  of  his  nature  into 
the  lady's  defence.  He  was  like  a  roaring  lion  at  any  attack  upon  her. 
Eaton  finally  had  a  quarrel  with  his  old  chief,  and  they  never  became 
reconciled. — Parian's  Life  of  Jackson. 


MRS.   J.   J.   ROOSEVELT.  281 


XIII. 

THE  niece  of  Mrs.  Yan  Ness,  of  "Washington,  war 
celebrated  as  a  belle  universally  admired  in  the  society 
of  the  Capital  in  the  winter  of  1828-9.  She  was  Miss 
Cornelia  Yan  Ness,  the  daughter  of  Cornelius  P.  Yan 
Ness,  the  eminent  Chief  Justice  and  Governor  of  Yer- 
mont. 

Mrs.  C.  P.  Yan  Ness  occupied  a  position  not  less  dis- 
tinguished than  that  of  her  sister-in-law.  Her  admirable 
performance  of  the  duties  pertaining  to  her  position  as 
the  wife  of  the  Governor  of  Yermont,  added  an  elevating 
social  influence  to  his  political  supremacy.  Her  house 
was  the  resort  of  distinguished  travelers  from  every  part 
of  the  United  States  as  well  as  Europe ;  her  hospitality 
was  known  throughout  the  State ;  and  few,  who  had  any 
claim  to  attention,  passed  through  the  beautiful  village 
of  Burlington,  on  their  way  to  Boston  or  Canada,  with- 
out stopping  at  the  Governor's  residence  to  pay  their 
respects.  Mrs.  Yan  Ness  was  noted  for  personal  beauty 
of  a  commanding  order,  as  well  as  for  uncommon  powers 
of  intellect,  and  attainments  that  in  any  time  or  country 
would  be  remarkable. 

Her  talents  in  conversation  were  improved  by  exten- 
sive reading ;  for  she  possessed  a  wonderful  tenacity  of 


282  QUEENS  OF  AMEEICAN  SOCIETY. 

memory,  with  a  mental  power  of  transmutation  that 
enriches  the  mind  with  the  products  of  what  it  receives. 
With  these  endowments,  added  to  the  most  graceful  cour- 
tesy, accomplished  manners,  and  kindness  of  heart,  it  was 
not  surprising  that  Mrs.  Yan  Ness  should  hold  an  exalted 
place  in  the  esteem  of  all  her  acquaintances.  When 
General  La  Fayette  revisited  the  United  States,  it  was 
her  part  and  privilege,  as  the  Governor's  wife,  to  receive 
and  entertain  him  at  her  house.  She  accompanied  her 
husband  to  Spain  when  he  became  Envoy  Extraordinary 
at  the  Court  of  Madrid.  Here  a  new  sphere  opened  for 
the  exercise  of  her  talents,  and  new  duties  devolved  upon 
her.  At  the  christening  of  the  present  Queen  of  Spain, 
in  the  Koyal  Chapel,  she  represented  America.  When 
she  came  in,  in  a  State  procession,  with  other  ladies  of 
the  corps  diplomatique,  her  commanding  figure,  the  dig- 
nity of  her  carriage,  and  the  beauty  of  her  face,  caused 
many  to  fancy  that  her  country  must  be  remarkable  for 
its  lovely  women. 

Miss  Cornelia  Yan  Ness,  when  a  very  young  girl,  left 
her  home  in  Yermont  to  visit  her  uncle,  General  Yan 
Ness,  in  the  Federal  city.  At  that  time  there  were 
many  young  ladies  in  society  who  had  brilliant  preten 
sions  to  belleship ;  but  Miss  Yan  Ness,  on  her  first  ap 
pearance,  was  acknowledged  to  possess  superior  claims, 
not  only  on  account  of  her  uncle's  high  position  and  the 
attraction  of  her  aunt's  fascinating  social  qualities,  but 
for  her  own  exquisite  beauty,  grace,  sprightliness,  and 
elegance  of  style,  with  accomplishments  rare  in  one  so 


MRS.   J.   J.   ROOSEVELT.  283 

youthful.  Her  admirers  were  not  destined  long  to  enjoy 
her  society;  in  the  autumn  of  1829  she  was  taken  to 
Spain  by  her  father,  who  had  been  appointed  Minister 
by  General  Jackson.  The  ambassador  had  his  residence 
in  Madrid,  and  his  family  was  at  once  received  into  the- 
most  select  of  the  court  circles  and  of  the  society  of  the 
Capital.  Immediately  on  her  arrival,  Miss  Yan  Ness 
was  introduced  to  the  Duchess  of  Beneventi,  one  of  the 
principal  ladies  of  the  court.  The  Duchess  was  charmed 
with  her  young  American  friend,  and  took  pleasure  in 
presenting  her  to  the  exclusive  circles  of  the  Spanish 
grandees ;  a  favor  seldom  accorded  to  foreigners.  The 
young  lady  was,  of  course,  admitted  to  all  State  recep- 
tions and  to  the  parties  of  the  foreign  Ministers,  in  vir- 
tue of  her  father's  official  position  ;  but  the  old  grandees 
of  Spain  are  jealously  exclusive,  tenacious  of  their  tra- 
ditional grandeur,  and  averse  to  receiving  into  their 
social  circles  the  most  honored  of  any  other  nation.  The 
distinction  shown  to  the  fair  American  was,  therefore,  a 
rare  and  valued  one.  Miss  Yan  Ness  had  equal  good 
fortune  in  being  made  acquainted  with  the  persons  of 
note  in  Madrid,  and  in  being  shown  all  that  was  recher- 
che and  distinguished  in  metropolitan  society.  %  Thus 
her  time  passed  most  agreeably,  and  the  incidents  of 
almost  every  day  were  treasured  in  memory  as  improv- 
ing recollections. 

The  Marchioness  de  Casa  Yrujo  was  an  American : 
a  daughter  of  Governor  McKean,  of  Philadelphia.  She 
had  married  the  Marquis  when  he  was  Spanish  Minister 


284  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

to  the  United  States.  The  Marchioness  had  been  in  her 
day  a  celebrated  beauty,  and  was,  even  at  that  time,  an 
elegant  looking  woman.  She  possessed  wealth,  and 
lived  in  superb  style,  in  Madrid,  with  her  son  and 
daughter.  She  had  known  the  ambassador,  Mr.  Yan 
Ness,  in  America;  and  both  were  happy  to  renew  the 
acquaintance  formed  in  a  far  distant  country,  to  which 
both  belonged  by  birth.  This  noble  lady  was  well 
pleased  to  find  a  youthful  countrywoman  so  accom- 
plished and  lovely  in  the  daughter  of  her  friend ;  one 
whom  she  could  present  to  her  friends  with  pride  and 
satisfaction,  and  who  would  do  credit  to  her  regard  and 
companionship.  Miss  Yan  Ness  could  speak  both  French 
and  Spanish  with  fluency,  and  with  two  chaperones  like 
the  Duchess  of  Beneventi  and  the  Marchioness,  asso- 
ciating familiarly  with  those  with  whom  they  made  her 
acquainted^  she  speedily  found  herself  at  home  in  Ma- 
drid. She  was  presented  to  Queen  Christina,  who  made 
her  entrance  into  the  Capital,  as  the  third  wife  of  Fer- 
dinand YIL,  the  day  after  Governor  Yan  Ness  and  his 
family  arrived.  The  Queen  received  the  young  girl 
most  kindly,  and  was  particularly  pleased  with  her ;  the 
sovereign  honored  her  with  special  marks  of  favor,  and, 
indeed,  made  quite  a  pet  of  her ;  showing  a  regard  no 
American  lady  had  ever  yet  won  from  a  monarch  of 
Spain.  This  distinguishing  notice  of  royalty,  of  course, 
made  the  beautiful  daughter  of  the  western  Republic 
"  the  observed  of  all  observers."  Her  album  contains 
numerous  tributes  in  Spanish  and  French  poetry  signed 


MRS.   J.   J.   ROOSEVELT.  285 

by  names  of  world-wide  distinction.  Fontaney  sighs  in 
verse — "  Oh,  that  my  eye  was  in  itself  a  soul !"  and 
there  are  records  from  Forcinet  at  Paris,  Charles  Nodier, 
Marie  Nodier,  Menessier,  and  many  others.  A  Spanish 
poet,  Don  Manuel  Breton  de  los  Herreros,  addressed  to 
her  some  impromptu  stanzas  which  have  great  spirit  and 
beauty  in  the  original. 

During  twenty  months  Miss  Yan  Ness  remained  in 
Spain,  partaking  of  all  the  gayeties  and  delights  of  the 
Capital,  assisting  at  the  court  festivals,  pleased  with  every 
thing  she  saw,  and  charming  those  wrho  knew  her.  The 
last  fete  at  which  she  was  present  wag  the  baptism  of  the 
present  Queen  of  Spain ;  a  most  interesting  ceremony: 
celebrated  with  brilliant  festivities.  This  appropriately 
crowned  the  series  of  stately  pageants  and  entertainments, 
in  which  our  fair  subject  had  the  rare  privilege  of  min- 
gling with  noble  and  royal  personages,  honored  as  one  of 
themselves,  and  endowed  with  grace  and  loveliness  such 
as  nature  seldom  bestows  even  on  the  favorites  of  for- 
tune. After  this  she  bade  farewell  to  these  bright 
scenes,  and  wrent  to  Paris.  Here,  in  May,  1831,  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  Eives — in  the  presence  of  many  distin- 
guished friends,  among  them  General  La  Fayette,  who 
gave  away  the  bride — she  gave  her  hand  to  Mr.  James 
J.  Roosevelt,  of  New  York. 

"When  La  Fayette  revisited  the  United  States,  Miss 
Yan  Ness — then  at  Mrs.  Willard's  school  in  Troy — had 
been  selected,  with  Miss  Cass,  to  present  to  the  General 
the  poetical  tribute  Mrs.  Willard  had  written  for  the 


286  QUEENS  OF  AMEEICAN  SOCIETY. 

occasion.  These  daughters  of  the  governors  of  Yermont 
and  Michigan  were  chosen  as  representative  young 
ladies  for  the  office.  La  Fayette  had  never  forgotten 
that  pleasant  incident,  and  thus  agreeable  recollections 
of  her  girlhood  were  mingled  with  his  esteem  for  the 
charming  maiden  he  bestowed  in  marriage.  He  invited 
her  and  her  husband  to  visit  him  at  his  country  home — 
La  Grange.  They  passed  several  days  there,  welcomed 
with  every  mark  of  friendship  by  the  General  and  his 
family. 

In  September,  1831,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roosevelt  returned 
to  the  United  States,  taking  up  their  residence  in  New 
York.  On  her  return,  Mrs.  Roosevelt  received  a  letter 
from  the  Marchioness  de  Casa  Yrujo,  giving  her  the 
gossip  of  their  circle  in  Madrid :  u  The  Duke  of  Ossuna," 
she  says,  "  is  rather  triste  on  account  of  the  absence  of 
his  friends.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  your  mamma  a 
day  or  two  ago ;  she  looks  very  thin,  and  appears  to  feel 
the  separation  from  you  very  severely.  She  is  desirous 
of  returning  to  America.  It  appears  to  me  it  would  be 
for  the  happiness  of  all  your  family  to  return." 

In  a  letter  from  La  Fayette,  dated  July  25,  1831,  he 
says : — 

"In  case  you  were  still  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  I  may 
assure  you  that  Prince  de  Talleyrand  will  highly  value  the  pleasure 
of  your  and  Mr.  Koosevelt's  acquaintance;  and  should  you  think  it 
requisite,  these  very  lines,  although  addressed  to  you,  would  be 
considered  as  an  introduction  to  him.  But  I  think  they  will  not 
be  received  before  you  have  had  the  happiness  to  find  yourself  again 


MES.  J.   J.    ROOSEVELT..  287 

m  the  great  and  good  city  of  New  York.     Remember  me  to  your 
sister,  husband,  and  brother-in-law,  and  believe  me  forever, 
"Your  affectionate  friend, 

"LA  FAYKTTK." 

In  1840,  Mr.  Eoosevelt  was  elected  Member  of  Con- 
gress, and  took  his  seat  in  the  following  year,  when  his 
family  accompanied  him  to  Washington.  During  the 
winters  of  1842-43,  Mrs.  Koosevelt  remained  in  that 
city,  her  husband  having  taken  a  house.  They  were 
very  prominent  in  society,  and  were  among  the  first  to 
introduce  the  new  fashion  of  entertaining. 

Mr.  Ingersoll,  giving  an  account  of  social  matters  in 
Washington  at  this  time,  wrote : — 

"  Washington's  administration,  with  Jefferson's  and  Hamilton's 
concurrence,  established  some  forms  deemed  indispensable  for  the 
new  republican  government,  one  of  which  was  that  the  President 
was  never  to  visit  any  one  but  the  Vice  President,  nor  ever  to  dine 
out.  But  Acting  President  Tyler  sometimes,  I  believe,  did  both. 
When  I  first  came  to  "Washington,  most  of  the  hospitalities  were 
done  by  the  President  and  the  several  foreign  ministers.  But  a 
great  change  has  since  taken  place;  and  now  many  members  of  > 
Congress  give  more  and  more  luxurious  entertainments  than  any 
of  the  foreigners  who  used  to  set  the  fashion.  In  1842,  one  of  the 
city  of  New  York  members,  Mr.  Jarnes  J.  Koosevelt,  and  his 
beautiful  and  accomplished  wife,  who  had  spent  many  years  in 
Madrid  when  her  father  was  American  minister  there,  were  among 
the  earliest  and  most  effective  in  that  social  revolution,  by  frequent 
and  very  agreeable  dinner  and  evening  parties.  At  one  of  these, 
where  President  Tyler  was  a  gay  and  unassuming  guest,  I  had  the 
honor  to  play  a  rubber  of  whist  with  him,  Lord  Ashburton,  and 
ex-speaker,  and  ex-minister  to  England,  &c." 

One  literary  curiosity  preserved  in  Mrs.  Eoosevelt's 


288  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

album  is  an  original  impromptu  poetical  conceit,  written 
by  Yictor  Hugo,  with  his  own  hand,  in  1831 : — 

"La  Poesie,  inspire  lorsque  la  terre  ignore, 
Ressemble  a  les  grands  monts  que  la  nouvelle  aurora 

Dore  avant  nous  a  son  reveille, 
Et  qui,  longtemps  vainqueur  de  I'ombre, 
Gardent  jusquo  dans-  la  nuit  sombre 
Le  dernier  rayon  du  soleil. 

"VlCTOE  H." 

A  translation  was  written  below  by  Mr.  Adains : — 

"  The  bard  is  like  yon  hilltop  high, 
At  sunrise  shining  to  the  sky, 

While  darkness  reigns  below ; 
And  when  shall  come  the  shades  of  night, 
Still  on  that  h'illtop's  lofty  height 

The  sun's  last  beams  shall  glow. 

"JOHN  QuiNor  ADAMS." 
JULY,  1842. 

Another  distinguished    poet    gave    a    more   liberal 
version : — 

"Moorland  and  meadow  slumber 

In  deepest  darkness  now, 
But  the  sunrise  hues  that  wakened  day 
Smile  on  that  mountain's  brow. 

"  And  when  eve's  mists  are  shrouding 

Moorland  and  meadow  fast, 
That  mountain  greets  day's  sunset  light, 
Her  loveliest  and  her  last. 

"  And  thus  the  god-taught  minstrel, 

Above  a  land  untaught, 
Smiles  lovely  in  the  smiles  of  heaven 
From  his  hilltops  of  thought. 

"FITZ  GREENE  HALLEOZ." 


The  same  treasury  of  art  and  poetry  contains 


an 


MRS.   J.   J.    ROOSEVELT.  289 

original  drawing  by  Federico  di  Madrazo,  of  Apollo  with 
his  lute ;  and  a  drawing  of  our  Saviour  wearing  His 
crown  of  thorns,  by  Yincentio  Lopez,  the  great  historical 
painter.  There  is  also  an  extract  in  "Washington  Irving's 
delicate  handwriting,  from  his  unpublished  essay  on  the 
"  Self  Dependence  of  an  American,"  written  in  London, 
July,  1831 ;  with  some  relics  of  Washington  and  Jeffer- 
son ;  a  sonnet  to  La  Fayette,  in  Mrs.  Madison's  quaint, 
old-fashioned  hand ;  and  the  following  sentiment : — 

"  The  enduring  record  of  departed  goodness  dwells  in  the  soul, 
like  the  writing  that  is  inscribed  upon  adamant. 

"D.  P.  MADISON" 

Mr.  Clay  wrote  to  Mrs.  Eoosevelt : — 

"MY  DEAR  MADAM: 

''You  did  me  the  honor  to  express  a  wish  to  possess  some 
written  memorial  of  me.  I  take  pleasure  in  complying  with  it,  and 
regret  that  I  have  not  something  to  offer  more  worthy  of  your 
acceptance.  But  nothing  could  more  truly  testify  than  I  now  do, 
to  the  respect  and  esteem  cherished  for  you  by  both  Mrs.  Clay  and 
"  Your  faithful  friend 

"  And  obedient  servant, 

"H.  CLAY." 

There  is  also  a  curious  autograph  of  the  Prince  de 
Ligne,  inviting  Mr.  Roosevelt  to  visit  him. 

Many  letters  were  written  to  Mrs.  Roosevelt  by 
statesmen  of  the  greatest  distinction  in  American  politi- 
cal life,  touching  affairs  of  national  importance ;  but 
publicity  cannot  be  given  to  what  was  written  without 
any  idea  of  publication.  They  serve  to  show  the  high 
personal  esteem  entertained  for  the  lady  by  those  friends, 

13 


290  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

and  their  respect  for  her  opinions  and  judgment  in  mat- 
ters wherein  a  woman  is  not  usually  supposed  able  to 
decide.  Some  of  the  letters  were  sent  to  her  while  she 
was  in  Paris,  on  the  eve  of  a  contested  nomination  for 
the  Presidency ;  and  few  ladies  have  been  let  so  deeply 
into  party  secrets.  One  from  Sir  John  Rowland  Eustace, 
in  1854,  showed  how  much  he  was  indebted  for  his  recep- 
tion in  America  to  the  civilities  of  Mrs.  Roosevelt.  He 
wrote : — 

"I  recall  to  mind  with  very  great  pleasure  ray  two  very  agree- 
able trips  from  Canada  into  the  United  States,  into  which  I  was 
ushered  by  you  and  Mr.  Roosevelt;  for,  from  the  moment  of  my 
having  the  good  fortune  to  make  your  acquaintance,  in  the  steam- 
boat upon  Lake  Champlain,  every  thing  was  to  me  quite  l-couleur 
de  rose  ?  and  when,  after  a  very  agreeable  journey,  you  and  Mr. 
Roosevelt  so  kindly  presented  me  to  your  friends  at  Saratoga,  I 
really  felt  quite  as  much  at  home  as  I  should  have  done  at  any 
watering-place  in  England.  And  after  that  auspicious  introduction, 
I  never  met  with  any  thing  in  the  United  States  but  the  greatest 
civility  and  kindness,  and  the  most  interesting  scenery,  and  the 
most  interesting  people  I  have  ever  met.  Indeed,  I  should  like  to 
revisit  America  very  much ;  and  I  think  I  should  have  gone  to 
vour  exhibition  at  New  York  last  summer,  but  that  we  also  had 
one  in  Dublin,  where  as  an  Irishman  I  was  bound  to  attend.  I 
was  in  hopes  of  seeing  you  and  Mr.  Roosevelt  again  in  London 
before  this  time ;  but  I  suppose  the  high  and  dignified  office  which 
the  Judge  now  holds — and  upon  which  promotion  I  beg  leave  to 
offer  my  sincere  congratulations — will  prevent  his  being  able  to  go 
so  far  from  home." 

Mrs.  Roosevelt  has  for  many  years  past  been  in 
reality  "  a  queen "  in  the  leading  society  of  New 
York.  Her  regal  grace  and  dignified  deportment,  her 
animated,  intellectual  countenance,  her  conversation, 


MRS.    J.    J.    ROOSEVELT.  291 

enriched  with  the  treasures  of  a  well-stored  mind,  and 
sprightly  with  brilliant  fancies,  adorn  the  drawing-room 
and  give  a  charm  to  social  intercourse  wherever  she 
is.  Her  entertainments  have  always  been  splendid,  and 
marked  by  refined  taste  as  well  as  lavish  decoration. 
Flowers  in  profusion  may  be  seen ,;  the  arts  are  worthily 
represented,  and  her  guests  are  unanimous  in  their  testi- 
mony to  the  enjoyment  provided  for  them.  Nor  is  the 
time  of  this  lady,  acknowledged  leader  of  "  the  ton  "  as 
she  is,  altogether  given  up  to  fashionable  gayeties ;  she 
is  continually  occupied  with  some  good  work,  and  is 
active  and  liberal  in  aiding  many  charities.  In  the 
great  (Sanitary  Fair  held  in  New  York,  Mrs.  Roosevelt 
gave  important  assistance.  The  "  Knickerbocker  Kitch- 
en" was  especially  under  her  superintendence.  The 
"  Herald"  report  said  :— 

"The  high  priestess  of  this  ancient  temple  of  cleanliness  and 
comfort  is  Mrs.  Judge  Roosevelt,  a  lady  of  veritable  Dutch  descent, 
and  a  well-known  leader  in  the  best  circles  of  New  York  society. 

"If  Washington  Irving  could  now  step  forth  from  his  summer- 
house,  he  would  put  on  his  hat,  take  his  cane,  and  quickly  find  his 
way  to  the  Knickerbocker  Kitchen.  There,  seated  in  some  high- 
backed,  broad-flottomed  wooden  chair,  he  would  call  for  oly-koeks, 
krollers,  rollitjes,  &c.,  with  a  cup  of  tea,  and  doubtless  he  would 
be  served  by  Mrs.  Roosevelt  herself,  in  the  costume  of  her  great- 
grandmother,  which  becomes  her  so  well  that  she  looks  more  like 
a  Duchess  than  a  Dutchwoman. 

"As  you  enter  the  door,  the  first  glance  conveys  the  impression 
that  you  have  stepped  across  the  ocean  and  are  in  a  foreign  coun- 
try. The  second  is,  that  you  have  slipped  backward  two  hundred 
years  or  more ;  and  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  in  tho 
person  of  a  pretty  Dutch  girl,  stands  before  yon. 

"  Grim  old  Dutchmen  look  down  upon  you  from  dingy  canvas 


292  QUEENS  OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

on  the  walls;  long-waisted,  straight-laced  old  ladies,  in  remarkable 
head-dresses,  and  round-faced  children,  in  wonderful  clothes,  greet 
you  at  every  turn.  The  tables  groan  with  blue  china,  steel  forks, 
and  all  the  good  things  that  were  found  on  the  Knickerbocker  bill 
of  fare. 

"  Overhead,  strings  of  dried  apples  hang  in  festoons  from  the 
heavy  beams.  Eows  of  dip-candles,  large  ears  of  seed-corn,  and 
bright  red-peppers  adorn  the  ceiling.  Above  the  deep  fire-place, 
a  shelf  full  of  burnished  pewter  plates,  copper  sauce  pans,  bake- 
pans,  kettles,  and  brass  candlesticks,  attest  the  divotion  of  the 
housewife  to  a  godly  cleanliness.  The  spinning-wheel  is  near  at 
hand,  the  ancient  dresser,  and,  above  all,  the  corner  china-closet, 
in  which  are  displayed  rare  mementoes  of  the  choice  blue  porcelain 
ware,  once  the  pride  of  some  old  family  table.  In  the  chimney 
corner  or  bustling  around  the  room,  in  old  Dutch  costumes,  may 
be  seen  Mrs.  Judge  Eoosevelt,  Mrs.  Ronalds,  Mrs.  Dr.  Brown, 
Miss  Roosevelt,  and  other  ladies  of  the  committee,  which  is  com- 
posed exclusively  of  representatives  from  the  oldest  Dutch  families 
in  the  State." 


The  account  of  this  distinguished  family  would  be 
incomplete  without  a  brief  notice  of  Mrs.  Boosevelt's 
sister,  whose  lot  has  been  to  reside  abroad  most  of  her  life. 

Marcia,  Lady  Ouseley,  says  an  English  paper,  "  comes 
of  a  race  of  distinguished  public  servants  of  the  United 
States."  While  the  eminent  diplomatist,  Sir  William 
Gore  Ouseley,  was  at  the  British  Legation  in  Washing- 
ton. Marcia,  then  extremely  young,  was  married  to  him, 
in  1829.  Their  residence  afterwards  was  in  different 
European  courts,  where  Sir  William  was  employed  in  a 
diplomatic  capacity.  He  was  a  nephew  of  Sir  Gore 
Ouseley,  the  famous  Ambassador  to  Persia  and  St. 
Petersburgh,  and  the  son  of  Sir  William  Ouseley,  the 


LADY  OUSELEY.  293 

not  less  famous  historian  of  the  celebrated  Persian  em- 
bassy. Entering  the  diplomatic  career  at  a  very  early 
age,  he  filled  important  posts  in  various  countries.  He 
served  at  the  Court  of  Rio  Janeiro,  whither  his  wife 
accompanied  him,  and  was  much  pleased  with  the  pic- 
turesque place  and  scenery.  Here  Sir  William  repre- 
sented his  queen  and  country  at  the  coronation  of  the 
present  Emperor  of  Brazil.  Lady  Ouseley  accompanied 
him  to  Buenos  Ay  res  in  1844,  and  subsequently  to 
Washington,  whither  he  went  on  a  special  mission,  .pre- 
viously to  proceeding  to  Central  America.  Some  years 
before  this  he  was  specially  accredited  to  Monte  Yideo, 
during  a  most  eventful  epoch  in  the  annals  of  the  East- 
ern States  of  South  America,  in  whose  prosperity  he 
ever  continued  to  take  a  lively  interest,  contributing  to 
it  by  his  persistent  antagonism  to  the  military  despotism 
and  commercial  restrictiveness  of  Rosas.  The  opening 
up  of  the  affluents  of  the  La  Plata  was  mainly  due  to 
the  preliminary  expedition  on  which  he  dispatched  Cap- 
tain Hotham. 

During  Lady  Ouseley's  stay  in  Washington  she  was 
the  object  of  universal  attention,  and  took  part  in  the 
gayeties  of  the  season.  A  brilliant  party  was  given  at 
her  house  in  March,  1858;  at  another  was  described  her 
"  winning  elegance  of  manner,  which  could  not  fail  to 
command  attention  ;"  at  another,  "  Prominent  in  the" 
throng  we  see  Lady  Ouseley's  expressive  face  and  en- 
gaging manners."  Many  such  passing  tributes  show 
that  she  had  a  celebrity  among  the  fairest  in  Washing- 


294:  QUEENS  OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

ton  for  her  personal  loveliness,  charming  manners,  and 
accomplishments  of  conversation ;  though  her  reign  was 
but  short,  as  she  was  called  to  appear  in  other  and  more 
courtly  scenes,  and  in  the  sunshine  of  royal  favor. 

Sir  William  returned  to  England  in  1860,  from  his 
mission  to  the  governments  of  Central  America  and  his 
visit  to  Washington.  He  died  on  the  5th  March,  1866, 
leaving  only  one  child,  a  daughter,  who  was  married  to 
the  Honorable  James  Terence  Fitzmaurice,  of  the  E-oyal 
Navy,  son  of  the  Earl  of  Orkney. 

Lady  Ouseley  was  personally  acquainted  with  many 
of  the  sovereigns  of  Europe ;  among  them  the  late  King 
Leopold,  of  Belgium — "  the  Nestor  of  sovereigns ;"  Queen 
Marie  Amelie  and  her  husband,  Louis  Philippe,  with 
their  family ;  also  the  present  emperor  of  France,  Louis 
Napoleon.  Her  home  of  late  years  has  been  in  England. 


MRS.  SCOTT.  295 


XIY.     , 

THE  wife  of  General  Winfield  Scott  was  prominent 
in  society  where  she  lived.  She  was  Maria  Mayo,  the 
daughter  of  John  Mayo,  of  Richmond,  Virginia ;  "  a 
young  lady  more  admired  in  her  circle  than  her  soldier 
husband."  She  had  seven  children,  of  whom  four  died 
young.  She  was  not  well  known  as  a  poetess ;  but  she 
wrote  some  creditable  verses  in  Paris  to  cheer  her  hus- 
band on  his  mission  of  peace  to  Puget'a  Sound,  San 
Juan  Island,  via  Panama.  He  sailed  in  tlie  "  Star  of 
the  West,"  September  20th,  1859.  Mrs.  Scott  was 
present  at  a  breakfast  given  to  loyal  American  citizens 
in  the  Hotel  du  Louvre,  Paris,  in  the  May  preceding 
her  death.  One  hundred  and  fifty  were  present,  one- 
third  ladies.  She  was  remarkable  for  pungent  wit,  and 
was  often  eccentric  in  her  manners.  • 

General  Scott  paid  a  high  but  just  tribute  to  William 
C.  Preston,  of  South  Carolina,  for  many  years  a  United 
States  Senator,  in  saying  he  was  a  man  "  of  the  purest 
morals,  with  a  wife  worthy  to  '  glide  double — swan  and 
shadow' — down  the  stream  of  life  with  him.  They  were 
lovely  and  pleasant  in  their  lives,  and  in  their  death  not 
long  divided."  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Preston  were  well 
known  to  the  writer  of  this  volume  during  her  residence 


296  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

in  South  Carolina.  Mr.  Preston,  as  his  friend  observed, 
•was  "  greatly  gifted  in  genius  and  fancy ;  highly  accom- 
plished as  a  scholar,  a  gentleman,  and  a  statesman,  with 
splendid  powers  of  oratory  to  enrapture  the  multitude 
and  edify  the  intelligent ;  with  a  soul  so  genial  and  a 
voice  so  sweet  as  to  win  all  who  approached  him — young 
and  old,  men,  women,  and  children." — "  Though  at  an 
unhappy  period  he  was  given  up  to  nullification,  his 
good  genius  triumphed  in  the  end ;  for  he  lived  long 
enough  to  make  atonement  to  the  Union,  and  to  die 
faithful  to  the  same  allegiance  that  distinguished  his 
grandfather  Campbell,  of  King's  Mountain,  and  his 
immediate  parent,  General  Frank  Preston,  long  mem- 
ber of  Congress  from  Southwestern  Virginia."  He  lived 
also  to  testify  to  his  acceptance  of  the  Christian's  hope 
through  a  Redeemer,  and  to  show  the  evidence  of  his 
earnest  faith. 

Frank  Preston,  the  father  of  William  Campbell 
Preston,  by  his  marriage  with  Miss  Campbell,  obtained 
the  salt-works  and  mines  of  Abingdon  and  on  the 
Kenawha.  His  sons  were  William  C. ;  John,  who  mar- 
ried Miss  Hampton,  of  South  Carolina,  while  in  Louisi- 
ana; and  Thomas,  the  present  owner  of  the  Abingdon 
property.  His  uncle  had  married  Edmonia,  daughter 
of  Edmund  Randolph,  the  first  Attorney  General  of  the 
United  States,  and  the  friend  and  legal  adviser  of 
Washington.  Frank's  daughters  were  Eliza,  who  mar- 
ried Colonel  Carrington;  Susan,  who  married  James 
McDowell,  Governor  of  Virginia,  the  brother  of  Mrs. 


MRS.   PRESTOS.  297 

Benton ;  Sophy,  who  became  the  wife  of  Rev.  Robert 
Breckenridge,'of  Kentucky;*  and  Sarah,  who  married 
her  cousin,  Governor  Floyd  of  Virginia,  f  The  sister  of 
Frank  married  one  of  Madison's  family. 

"William  Preston,  a  brother  of  Frank  Preston,  mar- 
ried Miss  Hancock,  and  settled  in  Kentucky  on  a  grant 
of  military  land,  now  the  site  of  part  of  the  city  of  Louis- 
ville. Their  only  son  was  William  Preston,  afterwards 
minister  to  Spain,  who  married  Margaret  Wickliffe,  the 
daughter  of  Robert  Wickliffe,  an  eminent  lawyer  of 
Kentucky,  and  the  owner  of  extensive  lands  and  large 
fortune.  He  was  distinguished  for  elegance  of  manner 
combined  with  determination  and  strength  of  will,  being 
popularly  called  "  The  Old  Duke."  His  home  in  Lex- 
ington, over  which  two  of  his  daughters  presided,  was 
noted  for  hospitality,  and  was  the  center  of  social  attrac- 
tion for  several  years.  The  eldest  daughter  married 
Judge  Wooley,  an  eminent  jurist;  Mary  became  the 
wife  of  John  Preston  of  West  Virginia.  After  Marga- 
ret's marriage,  she  went  to  reside  in  Louisville.  She 
accompanied  her  husband  to  Washington  when  he 
became  member  of  Congress  for  that  district,  and 
afterwards  wjien  he  went  as  ambassador  to  Spain. 
Everywhere  her  beauty  and  intellect,  her  accomplish- 
ments and  charming  manners  and  conversation,  and 


*  Dr,  Breckenridge  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  uncle  to  John  Breck- 
enridge. 

f  His  father  was  Dr.  Floyd,  United  States  Senator ;  his  mother,  the 
Bi'oter  of  Frank  Preston. 
13* 


298  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

her  influence  in  society,  gave  her  a  leading  position. 
Both  she  and  General  Preston  were  of  majestic  height 
and  regal  appearance.  Since  the  late  war  they  reside  in 
Lexington,  on  Mrs.  Preston's  estate. 

Mrs.  Merrick,  the  wife  of  Judge  Merrick,  of  the 
United  States  District  of  Columbia,  was  the  daughter 
of  Charles  Wickliffe.  She  was  a  leader  in  Washington 
society,  and  gave  superb  entertainments. 

I  have  heard  Washington  Irving  remark,  that  Wil- 
liam C.  Preston  was  the  most  brilliant  man  in  conversa- 
tion he  had  ever  known.  His  discourse,  in  fact,  sparkled 
with  illustration  and  wit,  in  which  sarcasm  was  often 
blended.  Sometimes,  by  a  felicitous  turn,  he  would 
rebuke  an  unjust  or  censorious  remark.  One  evening  at 
Professor  Ellet's  house,  a  gentleman  known  to  have  a 
stupid  wife,  looking  at  an  engraving  of  Lady  Byron, 
said :  "  I  should  not  like  to  marry  one  of  these  clever 
women  ;  they  are  seldom  suited  for  it ;"  whereupon  Mr. 
Preston  coolly  added :  '"  Well,  I  like  to  see  a  man's 
practice  in  life  correspond  with  his  theory."  His  words 
were  often  pictures,  and,  in  ordinary  conversation, 
seemed  to  glow  with  the  abundance  .of  the  treasures  his 
fancy  showered ;  it  almost  realized  the  fable  of  the  fairy 
who  dropped  pearls  and  jewels  from  her  lips  in  speaking. 

The  second  wife  of  Mr.  Preston  was  Louisa  Penelope 
Davis,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  James  Davis,  of  Columbia, 
South  Carolina.  She  was  born  in  1807.  She  improved 
the  advantages  of  a  superior  education,  having  little 
taste  for  the  occupations  in  which  young  girls  generally 


MRS.   PRESTON.  299 

delight ;  and  became  distinguished  among  her  associates 
for  the  extent  and  variety  of  her  acquirements.  Her 
powers  of  conversation  were  remarkable ;  pronounced 
by  Calhoun,  Mitchell  King,  and  others,  superior  to 
^  those  of  any  other  woman  they  ever  knew.  In  girlhood 
she  possessed  great  beauty,  combined  with  graceful  and 
winning  manners,  which  made  her  a  favorite  with  all. 
The  soft  melody  of  her  voice,  with  its  clear  and  rather 
slow  articulation,  added  to  the  pleasing  eifect  of  her  ani- 
mated language,  in  which  her  delicate  wit  illustrated 
every  subject. 

In  the  autumn  of  1830,  Miss  Davis  gave  her  hand  to 
William  Campbell  Preston.  During  his  brilliant  career 
in  public  life  she  was  his  inseparable  companion,  the 
star  of  beauty  and  wit  in  Washington,  the  leader  of  the 
most  aristocratic  society  in  her  native  town.  Her  health 
became  very  fragile,  but  she  never  relaxed  in  her  devo- 
ted attentions  to  her  husband,  who  suffered  much  from 
illness.  To  please  him,  she  cultivated  her  rare  mental 
powers,  and  read  the  works  in  which  he  delighted.  The 
Bible,  and  Shakespeare's  plays,  were  so  familiar  to  her 
retentive  memory,  she  was  almost  a  living  book  of  con- 
cordance to  them.  In  Columbia  she  was  the  acknow- 
ledged queen  of  society.  Her  entertainments  were 
marked  by  good  taste  as  well  as  profuse  liberality.  The 
house  had  a  large  and  well-shaded  garden,  in  which  the 
company  was  invited  to  wander  on  summer  evenings, 
lamps  being  hung  in  the  trees  and  shrubbery.  Some- 
times refreshments  were  served  in  the  grove.  I  remem- 


300  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

ber  the  visit  of  Baron  von  Raumer,  who  wrote  a  book 
entitled  u  America  and  the  American  People."  He  thus 
mentioned  the  occurrence : — 

"  We  dined  with  an  agreeable  party  at  the  house  of 
Colonel  Preston.  After  dinner  we  had  a  very  interest- 
ing conversation  upon  Shakespeare  and  the  Greek  tra- 
gedians. Our  host  showed  throughout  a  great  deal  of 
knowledge  and  acute  judgment ;  others  were  not  be- 
hindhand ;  and  the  ladies  also  took  a  lively  part  in  the 
discussion.  Seldom  do  we  hear  among  us  such  sensible 
and  coherent  remarks." 

The  soil  of  that  portion  of  South  Carolina  did  not 
produce  the  grassy  turf  so  beautiful  in  the  Northern 
States ;  but  Mrs.  Preston,  with  great  pains,  had  culti- 
vated a  square  space  where  the  grass  was  green  in 
spring ;  and  here,  after  dinner,  her  guests  were  invited 
to  sit  in  the  cool  shade.  She  had  a  favorite  peacock, 
with  a  gorgeous  tail,  which  he  was  fond  of  spreading ; 
but  on  this  occasion  the  perverse  bird  chose  to  hide  his 
brilliant  plumage  among  the  shrubbery,  out  of  the  sight 
of  the  distinguished  visitor.  Desirous  of  showing  oif 
her  pet,  Mrs.  Preston  whispered  to  me  a  request  that  I 
would  drive  the  bird  upon  the  green  in  front  of  her 
guests.  The  young  baron,  son  of  the  elder,  volunteered 
his  assistance,  holding  a  glass  to  his  eye,  for  he  was 
extremely  near-sighted.  The  obstinate  peacock  seemed 
determined  to  balk  our  purpose;  he  ran  into  all  manner 
of  obscure  by-ways ;  and  when,  after  long  pursuit,  the 
chase  became  vigorous,  and  he  was  fairly  cooped  in  to 


MRS.   PRESTON.  301 

the  desired  locality,  lie  fled,  with  closed  plumes  and 
frightened  pace,  across  the  Baron's  feet,  quite  unnoticed. 
The  learned  German  was  discoursing  on  the  topics  he 
mentions,  and  would  no  doubt  have  despised  the  spread 
tail  had  he  seen  it.  What  made  the  failure  more  pro- 
voking was,  that  an  ugly  turkey  buzzard,  of  whom  Mr. 
Preston  had  made  an  uncouth  pet,  sturdily  refused  to  be 
kept  in  the  background. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Preston's  retirement  from  the  Senate 
of  the  United  States,  he  was  chosen  President  of  the 
South  Carolina  College,  which  his  reputation  and  talents 
raised  to  much  prosperity.  Here  Mrs.  Preston's  influ- 
ence was  felt  in  a  new  sphere.  Her  benignity  and  kind- 
ness conciliated  the  respect  and  gratitude  of  the  students ; 
and  her  entertainments  diffused  a  general  spirit  of  cour- 
tesy and  good-will,  that  promised  to  open  a  vista  of 
increasing  usefulness  to  the  institution.  But  renewed 
attacks  of  illness  constrained  her  husband  to  resign  his 
position,  and  seek  the  restoration  of  his  health  in  retire- 
ment. In  March,  1853,  they  made  an  excursion  to 
Louisiana,  to  visit  the  plantation  of  his  brother,  John  S. 
Preston.  Mr.  Preston's  health  improved;  but  that  of 
his  wife  gave  way,  and  she  was  seized  with  a  disease 
which  for  her  medicine  could  not  relieve.  For  weeks 
she  suffered,  anxious  to  return  home,  but  unable  to  be 
removed,  till  a  slight  improvement  induced  her  physi- 
cians to  consent  to  her  removal  to  South  Carolina.  She 
reached  her  beloved  home  a  few  days  before  her  death. 
Her  mother,  her  brothers  and  sisters,  and  many  friends 


802  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

were  near  her,  and  calm  in  the  assurance  of  a  blessed 
immortality — for  her  life  had  for  years  been  passed  in 
the  light  of  Christian  faith — -did  she  "  like  tired  breezes 
fall  asleep." 

I  cannot  resist  the  temptation  of  including  some 
notice  of  a  beloved  friend,  whose  influence,  limited 
Indeed  within  a  select  circle,  was  powerful  over  all  who 
knew  her.  She  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  but  the  greater 
part  of  her  life  was  passed  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
where,  up  to  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-seven,  she 
adorned  a  high  position  with  all  those  qualities  of  heart 
and  mind,  all  those  sweet  and  captivating  amenities  of 
manner,  which  had  in  her  youth,  when  joined  to  great 
personal  attractions,  rendered  her  one  of  the  most  fas- 
cinating maidens  of  Annandale,  in  Scotland.  Her  father 
was  the  Rev.  Andrew  Jeffrey,  of  Lochmaben,  in  Dum- 
frieshire.  At  his  fireside  the  bright  blue  eyes  of  his 
daughter,  the  young  and  blooming  Jeanie  Jeffrey,  then 
only  in  her  fifteenth  year,  attracted  the  beauty-loving 
eye  of  Burns,  who,  under  the  impression  they  had  pro- 
duced upon  his  imagination,  made  her  the  subject  of  one 
of  his  sweetest  songs : — 

"  I  gaed  a  woefu'  gate  yestreen, 
A  gate  I  fear  I'll  dearly  rue : 
I  gat  my  death  frae  twa  sweet  e'en, 
Twa  lovely  e'en  sae  bonnie  blue."  &c.* 

*  A  memoir  of  Mrs.  Ren-wick,  written  by  the  accomplished  Mrs.  Bal- 
manno,  and  included  in  her  illustrated  volume  entitled  "Pen  and  Pencil" 
— a  volume  which  is  a  credit  to  American  art  and  literature — enables  me 
to  give  her  reminiscences  of  our  friend. 


MRS.   RENWICK.  303 

"  Often  in  the  familiar  flow  of  friendly  conversation 
has  she  described,  with  animation,  the  universal  joy 
which  prevailed  among  the  younger  inmates  of  the 
manse,  herself  included,  when  the  step  of  their  father's 
friend— Burns — was  heard  at  the  door ;  the  joyful  en- 
thusiasm which  his  appearance  never  failed  to  create, 
and  then  the  hushed  quietness  on  their  part  which  suc- 
ceeded his  entrance;  while,  with  their  creepies  (low 
footstools)  drawn  as  closely  round  him  as  possible,  they 
sat  looking  up  into  his  face,  listening  to  his  eloquent 
words,  and  never  weary  of  watching  the  changes  of  his 
varying  countenance.  His  powers  of  conversation,  she 
said,  were  unequaled ;  feelings  the  most  ardent,  fancies 
the  most  brilliant,  perpetually  leaping  forth,  and  render- 
ing the  commonest  theme  from  his  lips  full  of  novelty 
and  beauty.  The  pastor's  hospitable  fireside,  independ- 
ent of  its  own  intrinsic  charm,  must  for  him  have 
abounded  in  associations  the  most  romantic ;  Marion 
Fairlie,  the  'Fairlie  fair'  of  Scottish  song,  being  the 
ancestress  of  Mrs.  Jeffrey,  who  herself  was  the  direct 
descendant  of  '  Jonnie  Armstrong,'  the  famous  free- 
booter, and  had  in  her  maiden  days  formed  the  theme 
of  song  as  the  'Nannie'  of  'Roslyn  Castle.'  " 

In  a  letter  to  her  sister-in-law,  Mrs.  Renwick  thus 
describes  the  occasion  upon  which  Burns  addressed  to 
her  the  poem  above  referred  to : — 

"It  was  after  dinner,  in  company  with  the  poet,  at  the  house 
of  Mr.  Nicol,  who  was  living  at  Moffat  for  the  benefit  of  his  child's 
health,  that  Burns  sent  to  me  the  two  songs — '  Willy  brewed  a 


304  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Peck  o'  Maut '  and  '  The  Blue-eyed  Lassie.'  Mr.  Nicol  was  the 
'Willie'  whose  'raaut  got  aboon  the  meal'  that  night  with  the 
poet.  I  was  then  only  fifteen,  and  sic  a  wee  bit  lassie,  that  Burns 
danced  out  with  me  in  his  arras,  and  put  me  into  the  carriage  to 
my  father,  singing  '  Green  grow  the  rushes,  0.' 

"Poor,  poor  Burns  1  how  often  have  I  seen  him  in  a  colil  win- 
ter's night,  when  he  had  been  riding  for  hours  over  the  moors  and 
mosses  after  smugglers  (what  a  task  for  such  a  spirit  ty,  open  our 
little  parlor  door,  and  stalk  in  with  his  great  lion-skin  coat  and  fur 
cap  covered  with  snow,  and  his  fine  Newfoundland  dog,  Thurlow, 
at  his  side,  looking  stern  and  dour,  as  if  at  war  with  all  the  world. 
With  what  kindness  he  was  welcomed  by  my  dear  parents,  while 
my  sister  and  self  seated  him  in  my  mother's  easy-chair,  brought 
dry  slippers,  and  prepared  for  him  a  warm,  comfortable  cup  of  tea; 
then,  seating  ourselves  on  our  low  creepies  at  his  feet,  watched  his 
countenance  brighten  up  into  almost  more  than  mortal  beauty  and 
intelligence,  and  listened  to  his  inspired  words,  every  one  of  which 
was  absolute  poetry." 

Burns  addressed  to  this  "blue-eyed  lassie"  another 
song, beginning,  "When  first  I  saw  my  Jeanie's  face,"  &c. 

Mrs.  Balmanno  describes  Mrs.  Renwick  in  her  later 
years  : — "  Of  medium  height,  her  features  feminine  and 
regular,  with  a  benign,  engaging  aspect.  Pier  com- 
plexion was  still  fresh,  her  brow  unwrinkled,  and  her 
eyes  still  those  of  the  '  Blue-eyed  Lassie ;'  and  when,  a 
short  time  before  her  death,  she  was  humorously  de- 
scribing the  great  number  of  her  descendants,  her  cheeks 
were  dimpled  with  pleasure,  and  she  spoke  with  such  a 
sweet  voice,  laughing  at  the  same  time  so  softly  and  yet 
merrily,  that  it  seemed  no  wonder  she  should  have  made 
BO  many  hearts  her  own  in  the  days  o'  lang  syne,  some 
sixty  years  ago,  when  she  was  that  most  beautiful  girl 
and  elegant  dancer  described  by  Mr.  Cameron.  This 


MRS.   RENWICK.  305 

gentleman,  a  Highlander  by  birth,  passed  much  of  his 
boyhood  at  Lochmaben,  where  he  describes  himself 
deeply  enamored  of  '  Jeanie .  Jeffrey,'  having  a  l  great 
jealousy'  in  those  days  of  '  ane  Wully  Brown'  (after- 
wards Sir  William  Brown),  his  powerful  rival  at  the 
dancing-school." 

"  How  delightful  was  a  visit  to  Mi's.  Een wick's  house 
in  Barclay  Street,  New  York !  The  servants  wore  an 
honest,  kindly  look,  as  if  glad  to  see  their  mistress's 
friends;  while  she  herself,  to  whom  time  had  given  a 
grace  for  every  one  it  had  taken  away,  received  her 
friends  in  a  manner  that  showed  she  loved  them,  and 
spoke  and  smiled  a  thousand  welcomes.  Surrounded  by 
objects  of  taste  and  vertii,  of  elegance  and  luxury,  by 
pretty  little  tributes  of  affection  and  respect,  by  all  that 
can  delight  the  eye  or  charm  the  mind,  the  beholder  ex- 
perienced that  sense  of  pleasure  which  arises  from  objects 
in  just  proportion  and  harmony  with  each  other.  In  a 
conspicuous  situation  hung  a  fine  old  Andrea  Ferrara, 
that  perchance  had  given  many  a  hard  blow  at  Ban- 
nockburn,  and  beneath  it  stood  a  finely  chased  antique 
silver  casket,  containing  a  pair  of  the  silk  and  silver- 
fringed  long  kid  gloves  of  the  lovely  Mary  Stuart,  queen 
of  Scotland.  This  interesting  relic  came  into  the  pos- 
session of  Mrs.  Kenwick  from  the  representatives  of  her 
relative,  Professor  Kemp,  of  Columbia  College,  New 
York.  In  his  family,  in  Aberdeenshire,  it  had  been  an 
heirloom,  traced  back  more  than  two  centuries. 

"  The  two  large  bow-windows  were  filled  with  choice 


306  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

flowers,  one  of  the  windows  affording  entrance  to  a  long, 
narrow  terrace,  overlooking  beautiful  gardens  and  ven- 
erable trees,  old  Indian  warriors  of  the  woods,  which  had 
been  saplings  when  New  York  was  a  choice  hunting- 
ground  ;  dear  to  her  eye  as  shadowing  the  grounds  of 
Columbia  College  and  the  house  of  her  son,  who  was  its 
distinguished  Professor  of  Chemistry.  This  pleasant 
walk  was  always  in  summer  crowded  with  exotics,  large 
and  small,  among  which  she  loved  to  walk,  and  from 
whose  treasures  she  enriched  the  conservatories  and 
drawing-rooms  of  her  friends.  There  also  might  be 
found  violets,  daisies,  Scotch  heaths,  bluebells,  and  the 
'lang  yellow  broom,'  cherished  as  mementoes  of  that 
far  '  long  ago '  which  spoke  to  her  again  in  its  old  fami- 
liar flowers.  Amidst  these  charming  objects  of  innocent 
delight,  she  cheerfully  pursued  her  needle- work  or  knit- 
ting, chatting  vivaciously  on  old  times  or  new,  and 
managing  to  make  people,  when  they  retired  from  her 
presence,  have  a  better  idea  of  themselves,  their  friends, 
their  neighbors,  and  the  world  in  general.  The  elasticity 
and  vigor  of  her  mind  were  wonderful.  Even  to  the 
last  she  read  and  enjoyed  all  the  best  publications  as 
they  came  out,  with  the  same  keen  zest  and  appreciative 
judgment  for  which  she  had  ever  been  distinguished, 
taking  the  greatest  delight  in  the  fine  passages  and  noble 
sentiments  of  her  favorite  authors,  and  often  devoting 
many  hours  after  she  retired  to  her  chamber  in  perusing 
them."  Truly  was  she  called  "  good,  gentle,  and  true  ; 
possessed  of  all  that  gives  loveliness  to  female  character." 


MRS.   JOHN  C.    STEVENS.  307 

"The  simplest  souvenirs  from  her  hand  were  accom- 
panied by  a  tenderness,  a  tact,  and  a  grace,  that  made 
trifles  precious  by  her  manner  of  bestowing  them." 

Washington  Irving  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Mrs. 
Renwick,  and  spent  hours  in  conversation  with  her 
whenever  he  visited  New  Tork.  She  gave  him  a  root 
from  her  ivy,  which  had  grown  from  a  root  brought 
from  Melrose  Abbey,*  and  covered  the  wall  in  her  gar- 
den. Irving  called  her  house  his  "  Ark,"  as  his  favorite 
resort.  Professor  Charles  Anthon  called  her  "  The 
Queen,"  in  his  epistolary  and  poetic  compliments. 
Henry  Brevoort  and  Mr.  John  Greig,  of  Canandaigua, 
were  her  devoted  friends. 

Maria  Livingston,  who  married  John  C.  Stevens,  was 
for  some  years  a  leader  in  the  fashionable  society  of 
New  York.  She  lived  in  a  splendid  stone  mansion, 
with  pretty  grounds,  in  College  Place,  and  gave  brilliant 
parties  and  masquerade  balls,  with  select  dinners,  and 
general  receptions  once  a  week.  She  was  remarkably 
clever,  had  an  excellent  memory,  and  was  witty  in 
repartee.  The  following  description,  from  a  letter,  of 
one  of  her  entertainments  may  illustrate  them : — 

"  The  great  feature  of  the  week  in  the  fashionable  world  has 
been  the  ball  en  masque  of  Mrs.  John  C.  Stevens.  From  ten  till 
eleven  o'clock  long  lines  of  carriages  were  delivering,  at  her  mag- 
nificent portal,  into  the  hands  of  that  indispensable  adjunct  to  all 

*  A  root  from  the  same  beautiful  ivy,  given  me  by  Mrs.  Renwick,  I 
planted  in  front  of  our  house  in  the  college  grounds,  Columbia,  South 
Carolina.  It  lias  since  covered  the  front  of  that  and  the  adjoining  house, 
and  survived  the  devastation  of  Columbia  in  the  late  war. 


308  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

parties,  Mr.  Brown,  the  fair  denizens  of  New  York — from  the  tow- 
ering battlements  of  Murray  Hill  to  the  Italian  villas  of  Fifteenth 
Street;  from  the  Tuscan  and  Doric  mansions  of  the  Fifth  Avenue 
and  Union  Square,  to  the  sylvan  shades  of  Chelsea.  No  one  in 
New  York  entertains  more  elegantly  than  Mrs.  Stevens ;  her  tables 
groan  with  the  choicest  productions  of  the  season ;  and  on  the  score 
of  wines,  John  0.  Stevens  yields  the  palm  to  none,  and,  like  his 
famous  yacht  America,  carries  all  before  him.  Among  the  ladies 
were  Mrs.  Parish,  in  a  rich  pink  brocade,  trimmed  with  antique 
lace  and  diamonds;  Mrs.  Hickson  W.  Field,  in  a  sea-green  velvet, 
trimmed  with  three  flounces  of  very  rich  guipure  lace,  with  head- 
dress to  match,  and  a  fine  display  of  diamonds.  Young  Mrs.  Pen- 
dleton  wore  a  scarlet  satin  dress  covered  with  point  lace,  her  fair 
neck  encircled  with  a  chain  of  very  large  diamonds ;  a  white  wreath 
in  her  hair  completed  the  beautiful  toilet. 

"Mrs.  "William  Jones  appeared  in  white  lace  trimmed  with  gold 
fringe,  with  cap  and  plume  to  match.  Mrs.  John  Costar  was  in 
lemon-colored  silk  trimmed  with  rich  lace,  her  brow  encircled  with 
a  tiara  of  diamonds.  Mrs.  Haight  wore  a  rich  white  lace  dress, 
powdered  hair,  and  long  waving  plumes.  Mrs.  William  Schermer- 
horn  wore  a  profusion  of  antique  lace  and  diamonds." 

The  Mrs.  Parish  referred  to  was  Miss  Susan  Dela- 
field.  She  married  Henry  Parish,  a  prominent  mer- 
chant, and  was  a  party  in  the  famous  "  Parish  will  case." 
She  lived  in  Union  Square,  and  gave  splendid  entertain- 
ments. Sixteen  hundred  invitations  would  be  sent  out 
for  a  morning  reception.  She  is  said  to  have  been  the 
first  to  introduce  the  ancient  custom  of  birds  dressed  in 
their  plumage  at  suppers.  A  peacock  roasted,  and 
adorned  with  its  feathers  and  spread  plumes,  was  a 
favorite  ornament  on  her  table.  She  was  celebrated  also 
for  superior  literary  attainments  and  general  culture. 

The  elder  Mrs.  Hickson  Field  was  Katharine  A. 
Bradhurst,  and  married  first  John  McKesson,  a  notod 


MBS.    IUCCSOU"   FIELD. — MRS.    REDFIELD.  309 

lawyer.  Her  second  husband  was  Hickson  Field,  who 
was  also  a  widower.  Mrs.  John  Jay  is  his  daughter  by 
his  first  marriage.  His  son,  Hickson,  married  Mary 
Bradhurst,  the  niece  of  his  second  wife.  Both  these 
ladies  have  been  abroad  some  years. 

We  have  not  space  for  the  merest  mention  of  leading 
ladies  in  different  sections  of  the  country  of  the  present 
time.  To  do  them  justice  would  require  another  volume. 
A  friend  sends  account  of  a  lady  residing  in  Syracuse, 
New  York,  whose  social  influence  has  been  salutary  and 
widely  acknowledged.  Mrs.  Kedfield — Ann  Maria 
Tredwell — is  not  only  noted  for  position,  but  known  as 
the  author  of  a  popular  work — "  Zoological  Science,  or 
Nature  in  Living  Forms  " — a  book  commended  by  Pro- 
fessor Agassiz  as  one  that  would  "  do  great  credit  to  a 
majority  of  college  professors  in  this  department."  She 
came  of  a  distinguished  family.  Her  grandfather 
devoted  his  entire  fortune  and  best  energies  to  the 
support  of  American  independence  in  the  great  struggle 
for  nationality,  and  served  his  country  in  Congress 
during  its  first  sessions ;  while  her  father  obtained  dis- 
tinction by  his  military  services  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Aim  Maria  was  born  at  the  beginning  of  the  century,  at 
St.  Crignal,  Canada  West,  and  passed  the  earliest  part 
of  her  life  on  the  banks  of  the  beautiful  Ottawa ;  after- 
wards residing  at  Plattsburg,  a  place  named  for  her 
mother's  family.  She  was  educated  in  the  school  of 
Mrs.  Willard,  at  Troy.  Her  intellectual  culture  was 
softened  by  native  refinement  and  a  sympathy  that  went 


310  QUEENS  OP  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

forth  spontaneously  towards  all  who  needed  it  or  claimed 
her  tenderness.  The  mother  of  a  numerous  family,  she 
took  pains  with  the  education  of  children  who,  like  her, 
are  prominent  in  society. 

Mrs.  Leaven  worth  is  identified  in  a  measure  with  the 
prosperity  of  Syracuse,  which  town  was  founded  by  her 
father,  Hon.  Joshua  Forman.  Mary,  his  daughter,  was 
born  in  the  romantic  valley  of  Onondaga,  being  descend- 
ed from  leading  families  on  both  sides.  Her  maternal 
grandfather  was  Hon.  Boyd  Alexander,  member  of 
Parliament  for  Glasgow,  Scotland.  As  a  young  lady 
she  was  noted  for  beauty  of  person,  elegance  and  refine- 
ment of  manners,  and  mental  powers  that  gave  her 
extensive  influence,  and  directed  the  judicious  employ- 
ment of  an  ample  fortune.  She  married  a  professional 
gentleman  who  had  been  much  in  public  life,  and  with 
the  cares  of  a  family  and  of  liberal  hospitality  found 
time  for  the  exercise  of  systematic  charity.  She  was 
one  of  the  first  to  establish  a  Home  for  orphan  children  ; 
and  while  presiding  over  such  an  institution,  she  is 
manager  of  one  for  indigent  women.  During  the  war, 
she  was  president  of  the  Christian  and  Sanitary  Commis- 
sion, and  was  indefatigable  in  her  benevolent  labors. 
Her  attractive  home  is  still  the  resort  of  the  most  intel- 
ligent and  distinguished  of  the  townspeople  and  visitors. 


MRS.   HARRISON  GRAY  OTIS.  311 


XV. 

OTIS  is  an  old  Revolutionary  name,  and  "  has  the 
true  patriotic  ring."  In  that  great  charter  of  freedom, 
the  Declaration  of  American  Independence,  it  occupies 
an  honored  place,  and  has  always  been  cherished  as  a 
household  name  in  the  United  States.  Mrs.  Harrison 
Gray  Otis  is  the  daughter  of  a  Boston  merchant,  William 
H.  Bordman,  who  was  largely  engaged  in  the  Northwest 
Coast,  China,  and  India  trade.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Henderson,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Henderson,  who  was 
the  first  high  sheriff  of  the  county  of  Suffolk,  in  Massa- 
chusetts. The  sword  he  once  wore  is  now  hanging  in 
the  City  Hall  of  Boston,  as  a  historical  relic.  It  was  his 
duty  to  read  the  proclamation  of  Congress,  announcing 
"  A  Treaty  of  Peace  between  Great  Britain  and  Ame- 
rica," from  the  State  House  balcony,  on  the  23d  of  April, 
1783. 

The  parents  of  Miss  Elizabeth  Bordman  were  devoted 
to  their  children,  and  gave  personal  care  to  their  educa- 
tion, which  was  not  only  thorough  in  all  branches,  but 
elevated  by  all  the  salutary  and  beneficent  influences  felt 
only  in  a  happy  and  religious  home.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch  at  an  early  age  married  the  eldest  son  of  the  Hon. 
Harrison  Gray  Otis,  who  bore  the  same  name  with  his 


312  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

father.  They  were  said  to  be  the  handsomest  bridal 
pair  in  Boston.  Her  term  of  married  life  was  short,  and 
she  was  left  a  widow  with  young  sons  dependent  on  her 
care.  Anxious  to  secure  them  the  best  advantages  of 
education,  and  to  improve  her  own  mind  by  study  and 
observation,  Mrs.  Otis  took  her  sons  to  Europe,  remain- 
ing abroad  seven  years.  During  that  time  she  visited 
many  friends  of  rank  and  distinction,  and  was  received 
with  marked  favor  among  literary  circles  and  the  aris- 
tocracy of  diiferent  countries,  being  presented  at  several 
courts.  Thus  her  time  passed  agreeably ;  but  the  attain- 
ment of  social  distinction  was  never  an  object  with  her. 
As  soon  as  she  had  accomplished  her  design  in  forward- 
ing the  studies  of  her  boys,  Mrs.  Otis  returned  to 
America,  and  took  up  her  permanent  residence  in 
Boston.  Here  she  employed  all  her  time  that  could  be 
spared  from  domestic  and  educational  duties  in  works  of 
benevolence,  lending  ever  ready  aid  to  institutions  of 
charity  and  temporary  efforts  to  benefit  those  in  need. 
She  gave  efficient  aid  to  "The  Blind  Asylum  Fair," 
"  The  Sailors'  Snug  Harbor,"  "  The  Washington  Eques- 
trian Statue,"  and  other  fairs,  and  devoted  much  time 
and  labor  to  the  enterprise  of  purchasing  Mount  Yer- 
non.  After  the  work  was  stopped  by  Miss  Cunning- 
ham's departure  for  the  South,  Mrs.  Otis  persevered  in 
her  exertions,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  giving  to  the 
cause  its  crowning  contribution — the  last  sum  which 
secured  the  purchase  of  Washington's  tomb.  Thus  the 
record  of  her  life,  almost  from  early  youth,  has  been  a 


MRS.    HARRISON   GRAY   OTIS.  313 

chronicle  of  noble  deeds  for  the  benefit  of  the  public  and 
the  country. 

This  last  gift  to  the  Treasury  was  from  the  proceeds 
of  the  Mount  Yernon  Ball,  got  up  by  Mrs.  Otis  at  the 
Boston  Theatre,  March  4th,  1859.  It  was  said  to  be 
"  more  splendid  in  its  arrangement,  more  brilliant  in  its 
array  of  fair  women  and  brave  men,  and  nobler  in  its 
purpose,  than  any  thing  which  had  ever  preceded  it." 
The  Boston  Theatre  presented  a  scene  of  unsurpassed 
beauty  and  magnificence.  In  the  vestibule  the  flags  of 
all  nations  covered  the  heads  of  the  children  of  America, 
and  hung  in  graceful  folds  at  their  sides,  while  the  scene 
beyond  was  one  more  gorgeous  than  is  often  offered  to 
the  eye.  An  angel  of  mercy  sounded  forth  upon  his 
trumpet  the  new  offering  which  those  who  had  assem- 
bled were  about  to  make  to  a  noble  object.  The  deco- 
rations were  admirable.  The  sum  realized  towards  the 
purchase  of  Mount  Yernon  was  about  ten  thousand 
dollars. 

It  was  due  to  the  untiring  exertions  of  Mrs.  Otis, 
commenced  about  1850,  that  the  birthday  of  Washington 
was  made  by  law  a  holiday  in  Massachusetts.  It  had 
been  her  custom  to  open  her  house  for  a  public  reception 
on  that  day,  and  the  guests  were  coming  and  departing 
all  day.  The  house  was  usually  dressed  with  American 
flags.  The  rooms  were  fragrant  with  large  bouquets  and 
flowers  of  the  choicest  variety,  sent  by  friends.  The  mili- 
tary bodies  celebrating  the  day  passed  by  the  house,  and 
the  band  paid  the  customary  salute  to  this  patriotic  lady. 

14 


314:  QUEENS   OF    AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

On  the  return  of  Mrs.  Otis  from  Europe  she  opened 
her  house  for  Saturday  morning  receptions  and  Thurs- 
day evening  soirees,  conducted  on  the  foreign  plan  of  tea 
and  cakes.  She  did  not  vary  this  simple  style  of  enter- 
tainment, even  when  strangers  of  distinction  were  her 
guests.  On  one  occasion,  at  the  opening  of  the  railway 
between  Boston  and  Montreal,  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  Mr.  Fillmore,  the  Governor  General  of 
Canada,  Lord  Elgin  and  suite,  an  Indian  chief,  and 
many  strangers  of  note  were  present  at  the  same  time. 
Her  house  was  then  kept  open  a  week  for  the  reception 
of  visitors,  but  the  same  plain  style  of  refreshments  was 
preserved.  The  house  standing  at  the  corner  of  Mount 
Yernon  and  Joy  Streets  was  the  well-known  resort  of  all 
the  fashion  and  gayety  of  Boston,  and  of  all  distinguished 
strangers  who  came  to  the  city.  Many  brought  letters 
from  the  European  friends  of  Mrs.  Otis,  and  some  were 
commended  by  sovereigns  in  the  old  world  to  her  hos- 
pitable attentions. 

Mrs.  Otis's  'connection,  by  blood  and  by  marriage, 
with  the  oldest  and  most  distinguished  families  in  the 
country,  her  command  of  wealth,  her  literary  accom- 
plishments, her  sprightly  humor,  and  her  attainments  as 
a  linguist — speaking  fluently  four  or  five  languages — 
with  a  personal  power  acknowledged  by  all  who  became 
acquainted  with  her  as  irresistibly  charming,  gave  her 
an  influence  in  society  unrivaled  in  her  own  city  or 
State.  It  was  her  delight  to  use  this  power  in  doing 
good,  and  especially  by  her  example  to  lead  others  to 


MRS.    HARRISON  GRAY  OTIS.  315 

seek  opportunities  of  aiding  worthy  charities.  Few  left 
her  after  a  long  interview  without  enlarged  views  and 
more  earnest  aspirations  in  some  good  work  ;  and  many 
who  were  friendless  and  destitute  had  reason  to  be 
grateful  for  efficient  aid.  Mrs.  Otis  visited  other  parts 
of  the  United  States,  and  spent  much  time  in  Norfolk, 
gathering  information  she  was  afterwards  to  make 
useful. 

The  time  came  when  she  resolved  to  relinquish  her 
social  honors,  to  give  up  visiting  and  receiving  guests,  to 
pack  up  and  put  away  her  books  and  her  works  of  art, 
and  to  devote  her  whole  time,  her  house,  and  her  means 
to  a  needed  public  service.  This  was  immediately  after 
the  commencement  of  the  late  civil  war.  The  city 
government  of  Boston  at  that  time  was  offered  the  use 
of  a  hotel,  called  the  Evans  House,  as  a  place  of  deposit 
for  goods  and  money  for  American  soldiers  and  sailors 
and  their  families.  The  high  position  of  Mrs.  Otis,  her 
administrative  energy  and  untiring  zeal,  and  her  habit 
of  leading  projects  of  improvement,  rendered  her  very 
name  a  tower  of  strength,  and  the  authorities  invited 
her  to  take  charge  of  the  new  enterprise,  and  to  carry 
out  her  own  plans.  One  of  these  was  the  establishment 
of  a  Bank  of  Faith ;  and  most  successful  did  she  make 
it.  The  following  extract  from  her  first  report  will 
give  the  best  idea  of  her  work : — 

"Mrs.  Harrison  Gray  Otis  presents  her  compliments  to  Hi? 
Honor  the  Mayor  and  the  gentlemen  of  the  Donation  Committee 
of  the  City  Government  of  Boston ;  and  having  entered  the  Evan? 


316  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

House,  which  was  lent  to  the  city  by  the  liberality  of  William 
Evans,  Esq.,  on  the  29th  of  April,  1861,  now  begs  leave  to  submit 
for  their  consideration  a  recapitulation  of  the  work  which  has  been 
done  in  that  establishment.  The  plan  of  placing  a  woman  in  com- 
munication with  the  soldiery,  outside  of  hospitals,  having  been 
entirely  original  as  far  as  her  knowledge  extends,  and  being  a  nov- 
elty, it  was  naturally  by  many  persons  considered  wholly  impracti- 
cable, and  various  were  the  prognostications  issued  of  its  lack  of 
duration,  and  even  security  from  insubordination  and  rudeness. 
Mrs.  Otis  commences  by  stating  that  nothing  can  surpass  the 
exceeding  respect,  deference,  and  boundless  gratitude  with  which 
she  has  been  treated — to  such  an  extent  that  she  feels  warranted 
in  asserting  that,  religiously,  morally,  and  physically,  she  firmly 
believes  the  Evans  House  to  have  been  most  beneficial  to  the  Mas- 
sachusetts troops.  It  has  been,  in  some  sort,  a  home  to  friendless 
soldiers,  sick,  suffering,  discharged  and  paroled.  Soldiers  of  other 
States  and  from  the  South  passing  through  Boston  have  derived 
benefit  from  this  house.  The  names  of  fifty  regiments  and  batteries 
are  on  its  books,  from  which  large  numbers  of  men  have  partici- 
pated in  its  stores,  and  are  now  daily  sending,  individually,  froni 
the  army  and  hospitals,  for  comforts  which  they  know  will  be 
instantly  forwarded  to  them.  Thousands  of  letters  have  been 
received  from  them,  stating  in  glowing  terms  their  gratitude  on 
their  reception.  A  few  sailors  have  made  their  appearance  at  the 
house,  and  have  been  well  satisfied  with  their  visits.  It  has  been 
believed  to  be  a  most  important  part  of  this  novel  plan,  that  the 
donations  of  wearing  apparel,  books,  &c.,  should  be  personally 
made.  It  is  proved  that  all  articles  so  presented  have  acquired  a 
far  greater  intrinsic  value  from  the  acquaintance  made  with  the 
house,  conferring  a  local  habitation  and  a  name  on  the  source  of 
the  bounty. 

"Now,  gentlemen,  it  may  well  be  asked:  'From  whence  pro- 
ceeded the  money  and  effects  to  answer  these  enormous  demands 
on  the  Evans  House,  not  one  cent  or  one  shred  having  been  begged 
for  the  great  cause — not  even  from  yourselves,  by  the  writer?' 
The  answer  is  this :  A  Bank  of  Faith  was  established,  and,  under 
Divine  Providence,  it  has  grandly  prospered.  Noble  men,  women, 
young  girls,  and  even  little  children  of  all  classes  and  conditions — 
rich  and  poor — have  contributed  liberally  after  their  means  and 
fashion,"  &c. 


MRS.   HARRISON  GRAY  OTIS.  317 

The  Committee  on  Military  Donations,  December 
22,  1862,  passed  the  following  resolution : — 

"That  this  institution,  under  the  management  of  this  most 
excellent  and  patriotic  lady,  has  been  of  incalculable  benefit  to  the 
soldiers  of  our  army.  By  her  untiring  perseverance  and  benevo- 
lence, our  volunteers  have  been  supplied  not  only  with  substantial, 
well-made  clothing,  necessary  for  a  campaign,  but  with  many  of 
those  smaller  articles  calculated  to  render  their  camp  life  more 
comfortable,  and  which  could  only  have  been  provided  by  womanly 
kindness  and  forethought. 

"  Without  entering  into  details,  some  idea  of  her  labors,  and  the 
generous  donations  which  have  been  received  and  distributed  by 
Mrs.  Otis,  may  be  derived  from  the  fact  that  five  thousand  four 
hundred  dollars  have  been  received  in  cash,  and  two  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  six  hundred  and  seventeen  articles  have  been  dis- 
tributed. Many  donors  presenting  well-filled  boxes  and  barrels, 
ready  for  hospital  use,  with  the  assurance  that  they  were  properly 
packed  for  transportation ;  the  package,  with  its  contents,  having 
been  considered  but  a  single  article  in  the  enumeration." 

Such  labors,  as  may  well  be  imagined,  entailed  on 
Mrs.  Otis  the  severest  self-denial  and  unremitting  exer- 
tions. She  gave  her  personal  superintendence  to  every 
thing,  and  assisted  in  all  that  was  done ;  never  leaving 
the  house  for  a  single  day,  nor  relaxing  her  labors  long 
enough  to  visit  a  single  place  of  private  or  public  amuse- 
ment. Her  life  had  been  a  summer  of  joy,  her  youth 
renewed  continually  by  the  ever-gushing  fountain  of 
cheerfulness ;  the  sympathy  and  love  that  filled  her 
heart  made  her  Eeligion's  willing  handmaid  and  almo- 
ner. But  she  was  prepared  to  be  still  more  disinterested, 
and  to  undertake  tasks  that  might  have  repelled  one  less 
anxious  to  alleviate  suffering  and  minister  to  the  wants 


318  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

of  the  deserving  poor.  ~No  small  degree  of  heroic  forti- 
tude and  firmness  was  required  to  carry  out  the  great 
and  beneficent  objects  of  the  organization.  Mrs.  Otis 
did  so  with  an  entire  disregard  of  her  own  personal  com- 
forts, and  a  self-abandonment  rarely  found  among  the 
greatest  philanthropists. 
Another  report  says  : — 

"Mrs.  Harrison  Gray  Otis  presents  her  compliments  to  His 
Honor  the  Mayor  and  the  gentlemen  of  the  Donation  Committee 
of  the  City  Government  of  Boston,  and  informs  them  that  on  the 
29th  of  April,  1864,  she  completed  the  third  year  of  her  most  inter- 
esting work  in  Boston  for  the  soldiery,  having  commenced  it  in  the 
Evans  House  in  1861,  and  therein  remained  two  years,  and  one 
year  at  126  Tremont  Street,  opposite  Park  Street  Church.  During 
this  period  she  has  not  left  her  post  for  one  day,  excepting  on 
Sundays  and  religious  festivals,  and  has  found  abundant  occupation 
in  the  distribution  of  all  manner  of  useful  articles  conducing  to  the 
comfort  and  welfare  of  the  troops,  as  well  as  sick,  suffering,  and 
dying  soldiers,  in  their  tents  and  hospitals;  and  others  in  their  own 
homes. 

"  Thousands  of  soldiers  and  their  families  have  blessed  the 
willing  givers;  for  not  one  cent  has  been  begged,  Mrs.  Otis's  whole 
system  having  been  based  on  voluntary  donations;  and  you  well 
know,  gentlemen,  she  has  not  received  any  pecuniary  assistance 
from  yourselves.  The  original  plan,  a  sort  of  Bank  of  Faith,  has 
been  thoroughly  tested,  with  perfect  success,  and  no  deviation  has 
been  made  from  the  opening  of  the  house. 

"  During  the  seventeen  months  this  report  covers,  there  have 
been  distributed  four  thousand  dollars  in  money,  and  two  hundred 
thousand  substantial  articles,  comprising  shirts,  drawers,  socks, 
mittens,  soldiers'  bags,  containing  implements' for  mending  clothes, 
pocket  handkerchiefs,  towels,  comforters,  blankets,  pillows,  night- 
gowns, dressing-gowns,  and  all  kinds  of  hospital  garments  and 
stores,  of  wines,  liquors,  spices,  tea,  coffee,  chocolate,  sugar,  &c. 
Testaments,  prayer-books,  tracts,  and  reading  matter  have  been 
abundantly  supplied." 


MES.   HARRISON  GRAY  OTIS.  319 

As  an  instance  of  the  appreciation  of  foreigners,  the 
following  account  of  a  Swedish  compliment  paid  to  Mrs. 
Otis  may  be  mentioned : — 

"By  invitation  of  Captain  Adlerspawe,  Mrs.  Otis  visited  the 
Swedish  man-of-war  Norrkoping  yesterday  afternoon.  Her  recep- 
tion on  board  was  most  flattering.  The  marines  were  in  line  at 
present  arms,  the  sailors  then  formed  in  line  around  the  deck  of  the 
vessel,  so  that  every  face  could  be  seen,  and  a  good  idea  of  the 
Swedish  physiognomy  obtained.  The  gun-deck  and  officers'  apart- 
ments were  next  viewed.  After  that  an  entertainment  was  given 
in  the  Captain's  saloon,  when  the  Captain  proposed  a  toast  in  honor 
of  Mrs.  Otis,  stating  that  her  patriotic  life  was  a  model  for  ladies 
of  every  nation,  especially  when  harassed  by  war. 

"Before  Mrs.  Otis  left  the  ship,  the  sailors  gave  an  exhibition 
of  their  national  dances.  One — the  Weaver's  Dance — is  suggestive 
of  the  spinning  of  thread  and  weaving  of  cloth,  and  is  very  compli- 
cated and  beautiful.  The  music  is  as  weird,  dolorous,  and  charm- 
ing as  the  ancient  lore  of  the  country. 

"On  her  departure  the  yards  were  manned,  and  three  hearty 
cheers  were  given  for  Mrs.  Otis,  and  a  salute  from  all  the  guns  of 
the  vessel  was  fired  in  her  honor." 

As  this  will  be,  perhaps,  the  only  connected  memoir, 
in  enduring  form,  of  this  wonderful  charity,  I  offer  no 
apology  for  occupying  space  in  the  history  of  'it.  An- 
other report,  dated  April  29,  1865,  says : — 

"  Mrs.  Harrison  Gray  Otis  presents  her  compliments  to  His 
Honor  the  Mayor  and  the  gentlemen  of  the  Donation  Committee 
of  the  City  Government  of  Boston,  and  informs  them  that  on  the 
20th  of  April,  1865,  she  completed  the  fourth  year  of  her  interest- 
ing work  for  the  soldiers. 

"  The  furloughs  which  have  been  bestowed  upon  the  men  for 
bravery  and  good  conduct,  have  resulted  in  pleasant  visits  to  their 
well-remembered  resting-place,  from  which  their  families  have  also 
derived  support.  Mrs.  Otis  can  never  forget  the  last  touching 
request  of  a  young  and  brave  officer — Colonel  Griswold.  '  I  have 


320  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

a  favor  to  ask,'  he  said;  'two  of  my  men  have  been  promoted  for 
bravery  to  lieutenancies,  and,  as  I  firmly  believe  in  the  beneficial 
efficacy  of  the  gifts  of  Testaments  and  useful  articles  from  thi? 
house,  personally  presented  as  they  are  by  yourself,  I  beg  I  may 
give  them  introductions  to  yon.' 

"  With  regard  to  the  outfits,  it  is  undoubtedly  true  that  the 
greatest  care  has  been  taken  of  them,  and  a  certain  degree  of  pride 
exhibited  in  their  preservation.  Many  of  the  Testaments  and 
prayer-books,  with  the  signet  of  the  House  attached,  and  even 
garments,  have  been  brought  home  drenched  with  the  blood  of 
their  possessors,  after  a  three  years'  service. 

"  The  supplies  of  the  House  have  not  been  confined  to  Massa- 
chusetts alone ;  no  soldier  with  fitting  testimonials  has  ever  left  it 
empty-handed. 

"  A  corporal  with  six  soldiers,  accompanied  by  a  drummer  boy, 
went  to  bathe  in  a  river  near  Boston,  and,  observing  the  little 
fellow  carefully  concealing  under  a  pile  of  leaves  something  very 
precious,  at  least  to  him,  their  curiosity  was  aroused,  and  they 
questioned  him.  The  boy  replied  it  was  an  article  he  very  much 
prized,  and  always  carried  with  him  wherever  he  went;  they 
laughed,  and  teasingly  suggested  various  childish  things;  where- 
upon he  knelt,  and,  removing  the  leaves,  exhibited  a  Testament, 
saying  that  Mrs.  Otis  had  given  it  to  him  and  begged  him  to  pre- 
serve it.  The  next  week  the  corporal  and  his  six  men  all  came  to 
the  house,  asked  for,  and  received  Testaments. 

"During  the  twelve  months  this  report  covers,  there  have  been 
distributed  three  thousand  dollars  in  money,  and  fifty  thousand 
substantial  articles.  Testaments,  Bibles,  prayer-books,  and  tracts 
have  been  abundantly  supplied,  and  newspapers  of  all  sorts." 

.  At  a  council  meeting,  Alderman  Clapp  offered  the 
following  preamble  and  resolutions,  which  were  passed : 

"  Whereas,  During  the  war  recently  brought  to  a  close,  Mrs. 
Harrison  Gray  Otis,  acting  in  behalf  of  the  citizens,  and  with  the 
approval  of  the  City  Council,  has  devoted  her  time  for  four  years 
to  the  charge  of  the  City  Donation  Room,  laboring  incessantly  to 
provide  comforts  for  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  and  clothing 
to  those  in  need ;  therefore 


MRS.   HARRISON   GRAY   OTIS.  321 

"  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  City  Council  are  hereby  ten- 
dered to  Mrs.  Harrison  Gray  Otis  for  her  labor  of  love,  which  has 
been  productive  of  great  good  to  the  heroes  of  the  war,  and  has 
reflected  credit  upon  the  city  of  Boston. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  this  vote  be  sent  to  Mrs.  Otis  by  the 
City  Clerk." 

"  This  remarkable  lady,"  said  a  prominent  journal, 
"  has  done  more  to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  the  soldiers 
than  is  generally  known.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war 
she  expended  largely  of  her  own  ample  fortune.  During 
four  years  she  was  never  absent  a  single  day  from  her 
post — not  even  on  the  Fourth  of  July  (except  Sundays) 
— from  ten  A.  M.  to  three  P.  M.  Her  noble  deeds  have 
attracted  even  the  notice  of  foreign  countries.  The 
Stockholm  Daily,  of  Sweden,  contained  her  portrait 
and  three  columns  on  the  subject  of  her  labors.  She  is 
a  friend  to  all  the  hospitals.  Soldiers  in  service,  soldiers 
disabled  and  discharged,  all  go  to  see  hor,  and  come 
away  happy.  Her  name  will  be  prominent  in  history, 
and  will  be  honored  by  future  generations. 

"  We  can  call  to  mind  no  other  instance  of  such  ex- 
clusive, prolonged,  uninterrupted  devotion  to  the  soldiers, 
carried  on  from  day  to  day  with  undiminished  enthusi- 
asm and  activity.  Mrs.  Otis's  position  in  society  helped 
her  position  as  head  of  the  Donation  Room ;  for  it  drew 
to  her  large  amounts  of  contributions  in  money  and 
goods.  But  she  not  merely  gave  to  sick,  wounded,  or 
destitute  soldiers  the  comforts  or  clothing  they  needed, 
she  also  gave  them  counsel,  sympathy,  and  encourage- 
ment, and  delighted  them  with  the  genial  kindness  of 
14* 


322  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETT. 

her  manner.  She  received  the  humblest  private  soldier 
as  she  would  have  received  the  Lieutenant-General,  and 
cheered  his  heart  as  much  by  the  courtesy  of  her  address 
as  by  the  warmth  of  her  benevolence." 

The  flag  of  the  Union  Club  was  displayed  in  front  of 
Mrs.  Otis's  house,  and  patriotic  airs  were  played  in  com- 
pliment to  her.  She  was  named  queen  of  the  army 
and  navy,  and  her  house  became  a  centre  of  attraction 
for  military  men.  The  New  England  Guard  Eegiment 
presented  her  with  implements  of  war  from  Newbern. 

When  Mrs.  Otis  received  her  friends,  as  usual,  on  the 
Washington  anniversary,  all  Boston  seemed  delighted  to 
pay  its  respects  to  her  public  spirit  and  loyal  devotion. 
Merchants,  legislators,  lawyers,  artists,  literary  men, 
civil  and  military  dignitaries,  and  strangers,  came  to 
acknowledge  the  credit  due  to  her.  At  about  three 
o'clock  the  Second  Battalion  halted  in  front  of  her  resi- 
dence, and  paid  her  the  compliment  of  a  military  salute. 
Major  Rogers  and  his  officers  were  invited  into  the 
house,  and  Mrs.  Otis  presented  him  with  a  beautiful 
bouquet,  while  the  band  played  national  airs.  The 
Mayor  and  his  wife  were  present,  with  Governor  and 
Mrs.  Banks,  and  many  other  persons  of  distinction.  In 
the  morning,  Mrs.  Otis  was  surprised  by  the  gift  of  a 
richly  framed  cabinet  copy  of  Stuart's  Washington,  from 
several  gentlemen,  who  had  caused  it  to  be  painted  for 
the  purpose. 

Among  the  fine  oil  paintings  for  Count  Schwabe's 
Gallery  of  Fallen  Heroes,  is  a  full-length  portrait  of 


MRS.   HARRISON   GRAY   OTIS.  323 

Mrs.  Harrison  Gray  Otis.  It  is  the  only  living  person's 
having  a  place  in  the  gallery.  It  was  procured  by  the 
Volunteer  Soldiers'  Army  and  Navy  Association,  and 
presented  to  the  owner  of  the  gallery ;  Mrs.  Otis's  con 
nection  with  the  army  and  navy,  during  the  late  war, 
having  created  a  desire  to  perpetuate  her  memory  among 
those  brave  fallen  ones,  for  whom  she  devoted  so  much 
labor  and  money. 

The  value  and  importance  of  Mrs.  Otis's  work  was 
thus  recognized.  She  won  a  place  in  the  grateful  re- 
membrance of  the  whole  country.  It  is  not  saying  too 
much  to  assert,  that  she  did  more  than  any  other  woman 
in  the  land  for  the  amelioration  of  the  condition  of 
American  soldiers  in  the  field.  Nor  were  her  kind  min- 
istrations confined  to  Northerners ;  she  had  ever  as  warm 
a  welcome  for  the  humblest  of  her  Southern  countrymen. 
How  entirely  she  disregarded  what  usually  is  a  woman's 
chief  consideration,  may  be  seen  from  the  fact  that  she 
did  not  purchase  a  new  dress,  nor  have  any  made  up  of 
those  presented  to  her,  nor  any  repaired,  during  the  four 
years  that  her  labors  were  in  requisition.  In  all,  it  is 
thought  not  less  than  a  million  of  dollars  was  received 
and  expended  in  money  and  goods.  So  glorious  a  work 
will  only  be  fully  appreciated  in  after  times.  Mrs.  Otis 
will  have  a  place  in  our  history,  not  only  as  "in  her 
youth  the  most  celebrated  belle  of  her  day,  but  in  the 
ripeness  of  her  mature  years  a  true  philanthropist,  and  a 
perfect  model  of  American  womanhood." 

This  patriotic   and  self-sacrificing  woman,  who  hag 


324  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

also  divided,  it  is  said,  tens  of  thousands  from  her  own 
fortune  among  the  soldiers  and  their  families,  does  not 
find  her  mission  ended.  "My  life's  work,"  she  says, 
"  will  not  be  finished  so  long  as  I  breathe."  Since  she 
resigned  her  post  in  the  city,  she  has  been  solicited,  in 
various  places,  to  give  her  energies  and  labors  for  all 
kinds  of  projects  and  plans.  In  testimony  of  gratitude 
she  has  received,  from  the  generals  down  to  the  private 
soldiers,  an  immense  variety  of  relics  of  the  war.  She 
resides  still  in  Boston. 


The  brother  of  Mrs.  Otis  married  Miss  Emily  Mar- 
shal, who  has  been  called  the  most  beautiful  woman  ever 
seen  in  the  United  States.  She  was  accompanied  by  her 
father  on  her  first  visit  to  Saratoga.  The  people  crowd- 
ed to  see  her  as  she  alighted  from  the  coach ;  and  when- 
ever she  passed  from  the  hotel  to  her  carriage  or  to  the 
steamboat,  they  would  stand  in  a  line  on  either  side,  to 
gaze  on  the  vision  of  surpassing  loveliness,  to  the  effect 
of  which  her  gentle  and  graceful  manner  added. 

Mrs.  Eichard  Derby,  the  daughter  of  a  physician  in 
Maine,  and  the  wife  of  a  wealthy  gentleman  of  Boston, 
is  mentioned  as  a  beautiful  and  accomplished  woman. 
She  spent  much  time  in  Paris,  and  was  a  favorite  with 
the  last  king  of  France. 

Lydia,  the  accomplished  wife  of  Hon.  E.  F.  "Wallace, 
American  consul  at  Santiago  de  Cuba,  was  born  and 
educated  in  Boston.  Her  responsible  position  was 


MRS.    PEESCOTT.  325 

adorned  by  the  attractions  that  brighten  and  elevate 
society,  and  strengthen  the  influence  of  a  husband  dis 
tinguished  for  ability  and  classical  scholarship.  Her 
correspondence  would  fill  a  volume,  most  interesting  to 
readers  for  its  picturesque  delineations  of  novel  scenes. 

William  H.  Prescott,  the  historian,  once  pointed  out 
to  me,  in  his  library,  two  swords  crossed ;  one  belonging 
to  his  grandfather,  Colonel  Prescott,  who  defended  the 
works  cannonaded  by  Captain  Linzee,  of  His  Majesty's 
ship-of-war  Falcon — the  other  sword  to  Captain  Linzee. 
Prescott  married  that  officer's  grand-daughter.  He 
wrote  to  Miss  Preble,  in  1845,  of  his  wife:  "She  is  a 
niece  of  Mr.  Nathan  Amory,  and  I  do  not  think  your 
sister  did  her  any  injustice.  At  all  events,  we  have 
passed  our  quarter  of  a  century  together,  and  reached 
our  '  silver  wedding,'  as  they  say  in  Germany,  without 
as  yet  finding  the  truth  of  La  Bruyere's  maxim — '  that 
the  happiest  couple  find  reason  to  repent,  at  least  once 
in  twenty-four  hours,  of  their  condition.'  " 

Miss  Harriet  Preble  died  in  Manchester,  near  Pitts- 
burgh, in  1854.  She  was  deemed  an  ornament  to  so- 
ciety, and  was  in  no  ordinary  degree  esteemed  and 
beloved.  She  was  a  niece  of  Commodore  Preble,  the 
first  commodore  of  the  Revolution.  Born  in  England, 
and  passing  her  childhood  and  youth  in  Paris,  she 
received  her  education  in  the  famous  institution  of 
Madame  Campan.  Her  genius  and  literary  acquire- 
ments were  sublimed  by  ardent  piety.  In  early  life  she 
became  acquainted  and  associated  with  most  of  the  lead 


"326  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

ing  and  most  brilliant  scholars,  and  the  most  distin- 
guished statesmen  and  writers  of  France,  with  whom  she 
corresponded  after  her  return  to  America.  In  this 
country  she  was  on  terms  of  intimate  friendship  with 
Ticknor,  Prescott,  and  the  most  distinguished  scholars 
and  authors.  Her  varied  mental  stores  made  her  con- 
versation delightful  to  old  and  young ;  and  all  her  gifts, 
with  her  property  and  her  labors,  were  consecrated  to 
her  Eedeemer. 


Ml  (Hi  S0  Jo  JJ 


MRS.   J.   J.   CRITTENDEtf.  827 


XVI. 

THE  ancestors  of  Mrs.  Crittenden  resided  in  Albe- 
marle  and  Goochland  counties,  Yirgiiiia.  Her  great- 
grandfather, Colonel  John  Woodson,  inherited  from  his 
father  a  large  landed  estate  called  Dover,  on  James 
River,  in  Goochland.  He  married  Dorothea  Randolph, 
of  Dnngeness.  One  of  her  sisters  was  the  mother  of 
Thomas  Jefferson,  the  third  President  of  the  United 
States ;  another  was  Mrs.  Pleasants,  the  mother  of  Gov- 
ernor Pleasants,  of  Yirginia.  Her  only  brother,  Thomas 
Mann  Randolph,  was  the  heir  to  the  large  estate  of 
Dungeness.  A  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodson,  Josiah, 
married  his  cousin,  Elizabeth  Woodson  ;  and  their 
daughter,  Mary,  in  1801,  married  Dr.  James  W.  Moss, 
of  Albemarle  County,  Yirginia.  These  latter  were  the 
parents  of  Elizabeth  Moss,  the  subject  of  this  brief 
notice. 

After  a  few  years'  residence  in  Goochland,  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Moss  removed  to  Mason  County,  Kentucky.  There 
Elizabeth  was  born.  Great  pains  were  taken  with  her 
education,  which  in  her  years  of  childhood  and  early 
youth  was  superintended  by  Miss  Eliza  Spencer,  a  lady 
of  English  birth.  Before  the  young  girl  had  arrived  at 
womanhood,  Dr.  Moss  removed  from  Kentucky  to  Mis- 


328  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

souri,  then  just  admitted  as  a  State  into  the  Union.  His 
home  was  at  first  in  St.  Louis,  but,  after  a  temporary 
sojourn  there,  he  was  attracted  to  the  beautiful  and  fer- 
tile portion  of  the  State  in  which  the  town  of  Columbia 
is  situated.  There,  in  the  midst  of  a  small  settlement 
of  families  from  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  which  at  that 
time  gave  tone  and  character  to  the  greater  part  of  Cen- 
tral Missouri,  Dr.  Moss  devoted  himself  to  farming 
upon  a  large  scale.  Elizabeth,  whose  accomplishments 
in  mind  were  heightened  by  the  charm  of  youthful 
beauty,  was  soon  after  married  to  a  young  physician  of 
great  promise,  Dr.  Daniel  P.  Wileox.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  State  Legislature,  but  did  not  live  long  to 
serve  his  State,  or  to  enjoy  the  happiness  promised  by 
his  union  with  so  lovely  a  wife.  He  died,  leaving  his 
widow  with  two  daughters ;  the  eldest  of  whom,  Mary, 
married  Mr.  Andrew  McKinley,  the  only  son  of  Justice 
McKinley,  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 
He  was  then  practicing  law  in  St.  Louis  with  eminent 
ability. 

The  youngest,  Anna,  became  the  wife  of  the  Hon.  E. 
Carrington  Cabell,  a  representative  in  Congress  from 
Florida,  the  son  of  the  Hon.  William  Cabell,  late  Chief 
Justice  of  Yirginia. 

In  the  autumn  of  1832,  Mrs.  Wilcox  was  married  to 
General  William  H.  Ashley,  then  the  sole  representative 
in  Congress  from  Missouri.  His  residence  was  in  St. 
Louis,  where  "he  owned  a  large  estate,  and  was  distin- 
guished for  noble  integrity  of  character,  and  for  the  be- 


MRS.   J.   J.   CRITTENDEN.  329 

nevolence  of  an  amiable  nature.  Mrs.  Ashley  accom- 
panied him  to  Washington  immediately  after  her  mar- 
riage, and  at  once  became  the  star  of  general  admiration, 
and  the  centre  of  a  large  circle  of  devoted  friends.  She 
led  the  fashion  both  there  and  in  the  summer  resorts 
visited  by  her,  without  making  the  least  sacrifice  to  the 
frivolity  of  a  worldly  life.  Her  natural  grace  and  affa- 
bility,  the  union  of  dignity  and  frank  cordiality  which 
formed  the  charm  of  her  manner,  the  intellectual  culti- 
vation that  enriched  and  elevated  the  most  unstudied 
flow  of  conversation,  and,  above  all,  the  genuine  kind- 
ness of  her  heart,  drew  around  her  all  who  appreciated 
the  true  sweetness  of  woman's  character,  and  made  her 
truly  "  a  queen  "  wherever  she  moved.  "  The  allegiance 
of  hearts"  was  hers  by  right  divine.  Many  remember 
her  at  Saratoga ;  and  the  universal  praise  accorded  to 
this  charming  woman  was  never  mingled  with  the  least 
breath  of  envy  or  disparagement.  She  was  one  whom 
all  "  delighted  to  honor." 

General  Ashley  died,  regretted  and  lamented,  in 
1838.  Widowed,  with  only  the  solace  of  her  children's 
society,  Mrs.  Ashley  returned  to  her  peaceful  home  in 
St.  Louis.  It  was  then  a  suburban  residence,  built  on 
one  of  the  Indian  mounds,  formerly  used  as  burial-places, 
or  forts  of  defence.  The  grounds  were  terraced,  and 
ornamented  with  a  variety  of  shrubbery  and  flowers, 
while  majestic  forest-trees  here  and  there  gave  pleasant 
shade,  and  improved  the  beauty  of  the  extensive  view. 
Here  the  little  family  passed  the  days  in  seclusion ;  but 


330  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

for  the  sake  of  those  in  whom  her  affections  were  bound 
up,  and  of  her  circle  of  attached  friends,  Mrs.  Ashley  did 
not  refuse  all  society.  Her  house  was  the  seat  of  unos- 
tentatious hospitality,  and  reunions  the  more  agreeable, 
that  they  were  limited  to  friends  who  were  .interested  in 
each  other,  and  had  not  the  ceremony  and  state  belong- 
ing of  necessity  to  the  assemblies  of  the  Capital.  Mrs. 
Ashley  had  an  object  in  life  that  absorbed  her  cares ;  the 
education  of  her  lovely  young  daughters.  To  this  she 
devoted  herself;  and  when  she  deemed  it  necessary  to 
give  them  advantages  of  instruction,  then  difficult  to 
command  in  a  Western  city,  she  accompanied  them  to 
Philadelphia.  She  remained  in  that  city  till  their 
studies  were  completed. 

After  this  was  accomplished,  and  the  young  ladies 
were  able  to  join  Mrs.  Ashley,  several  of  her  winters 
were  passed  in  Washington.  It  was  with  even  improved 
beauty,  and  with  matured  intellect,  and  the  refinement 
growing  out  of  habitual  association  with  what  tends  to 
elevate  character,  that  she  again  appeared  in  society. 
Her  former  friends  and  admirers  flocked  eagerly  about 
her,  and  her  grace  and  loveliness  were  the  theme  of  gen- 
eral comment.  The  resident  society  of  the  Capital  was 
marked  by  elegance  and  refinement,  and  she  was  more 
than  ever  a  favorite.  Few  of  her  sex  could  have  with- 
stood the  allurements  of  the  homage  lavished  upon  her ; 
yet  she  was  unspoiled.  Her  greatest  pleasure  always 
consisted  in  promoting  the  enjoyment  of  others.  It  was 
her  delight  to  dispense  happiness;  and  many  were 'her 


MRS.   J.   J.   CRITTENDEN.  331 

opportunities  of  bringing  out  merit  from  obscurity,  and 
of  placing  in  the  best  light  qualities  that  needed  but  to 
be  recognized  to  win  popularity.  With  a  tact  rarely 
equaled,  Mrs.  Ashley  was  ever  performing  kind  offices 
in  a  way  that  secured  the  best  results  without  wounding 
the  self-love  of  those  she  obliged.  It  would  fill  a  vol- 
ume to  detail  the  instances  in  which  her  liberal  aid  and 
her  cordial  kindness  forwarded  the  views  and  contribu- 
ted to  the  pleasures  of  those  whom  her  delicacy  caused 
to  feel  their  obligation  but  lightly. 

She  always  entered  with  interest  and  sympathy  into 
the  affairs  of  her  young  friends ;  and  it  may  be  conjec- 
tured that  they  often  solicited  her  counsel  and  co-opera- 
tion. In  every  part  of  the  American  Union  one  may 
hear  person's  of  the  highest  social  position  speak  of  her 
with  ardent  gratitude  and  affection,  and  of  the  many 
kind  acts  and  attentions  by  which  she  contributed  to 
their  benefit  or  enjoyment  while  at  the  seat  of  Govern- 
ment. It  has  been  remarked,  that  she  was  never  known 
to  speak  harshly  or  censoriously  of  any  one ;  nor  did  she 
ever  forget  an  acquaintance,  or  wound  by  any  capricious 
change  of  manner.  She  was  perfectly  familiar  with  all 
the  political  issues  of  the  day ;  but  never  advocated,  as  a 
partisan,  either  side  of  the  question.  Always  intelligent 
and  fluent  in  conversation,  whatever  the  subject  might 
be,  she  never  assumed  the  slightest  superiority  by  her 
manner,  or  seemed  conscious  that  her  own  opinion  or 
judgment  was  better  than  that  of  others.  This  modest 
reticence,  notwithstanding  the  real  superiority  which 


332  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

those  who  knew  her  could  not  fail  to  acknowledge,  was 
manifest  in  what  might  be  called  "  a  gracious  way  of 
listening."  Many  ladies  who  converse  well  do  not  listen 
with  attention  to  persons  less  gifted  than  themselves; 
Mrs.  Ashley  had  the  faculty  of  doing  so  most  charming- 
ly. It  was  a  part  of  the  delicate  tact  springing  from  a 
disinterested  regard  for  the  feelings  and  the  pride  of 
others,  which,  scarcely  less  than  her  noble  beauty  and 
grace,  rendered  her  the  ornament  of  every  social  circle, 
showing  the  true  dignity,  blended  with  an  indulgence  for 
the  claims  of  all  classes,  that  won  grateful  regard  while 
it  commanded  respect. 

The  Hon.  John  J.  Crittenden,  then  Attorney-Gen- 
eral of  the  United  States  under  Mr.  Fillmore's  adminis- 
tration, in  1853  won  this  lady  to  be  bis  wife.  After  the 
retirement  of  Mr.  Crittenden  from  the  Cabinet  he  was 
returned  to  the  Senate,  and  continued  in  Congress  till 
his  death,  in  1863.  His  history  belongs  to  the  country's 
annals. 

Mrs.  Crittenden  always  accompanied  him  to  Wash- 
ington, and  remained  there  while  his  duties  detained 
him.  Admiration  always  followed  her.  A  lady  wrote, 
describing  a  party  at  Governor  Aiken's,  in  1857,  and 
Mrs.  Crittenden 's  appearance :  "  Nothing  can  harmonize 
better  than  the  magnificent  dress,  ostrich  feathers,  and 
superb  scarf  of  lace  that  falls  over  it  with  such  a  gor- 
geous levity.  Between  the  dress  and  the  light  folds  of 
the  scarf,  relieved  by  the  one,  and  half  hidden  by  the 
other,  plays  a  diamond  cross  of  rare  beauty.  This  lady 


MRS.    J.    J.    CRITTENDEN.  833 

possesses  more  kind  feeling  than  would  serve  a  whole 
clique  of  the  ordinary  stamp  of  fashionables."  She  is 
again  described  as  wearing  "  a  superb  moire  antique,  of 
the  most  delicate  pea-green  tint,  with  point-lace  bertha." 
And  again :  "  Here  was  the  lady  of  the  distinguished 
Senator  from  Kentucky,  Mrs.  Crittenden,  with  her  per- 
fect coiffure  and  air  of  society;  all  the  political  and 
diplomatic  world  flocking  to  compliment  and  congratu- 
late her  on  the  very  able  speech  of  her  husband,  made  in 
the  Senate  during  the  day." 

Mrs.  Crittenden  has  more  of  the  unconscious  grace 
of  repose,  which  invests  one  like  a  spiritual  atmosphere, 
than  any  woman  I  ever  saw.  No  intelligent  person  can 
fail  to  recognize  it ;  no  language  can  define  or  describe 
it.  It  differs  from  the  grace  of  motion,  or  of  mere  form ; 
it  is  felt  as  an  emanation  from  the  pure  and  benignant 
soul,  whose  expression  gives  beauty  its  chief  and  most 
lasting  charm.  Its  influence  is  magnetic;  always  as  a 
beneficent  spell. 

Mrs.  Crittenden  was  in  "Washington  during  the 
stormy  debates  that  preceded  the  outbreak  of  the  Kebel- 
lion;  and  deeply  did  she  sympathize  with  her  husband 
in  his  anxious  desire  to  preserve  the  Union  without  the 
devastation  of  war.  She  wrote,  in  one  of  her  letters  to 
her  daughter,  in  a  spirit  with  which  all  Northern  people 
ought  to  sympathize :  "  Our  Southern  friends  have  made 
a  great  mistake — God  bless  them  !  I  long  to  shake 
hands  with  them  and  welcome  them  back." 

It  is  not  often  that  a  lady  receives  such  a  tribute  as 


33 -i  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

was  offered  Mrs.  Crittenden,  in  March,  at  a  reception 
given  to  her  in  the  parlor  of  the  National  Hotel.  On 
that  occasion  the  following  address  was  presented  by  Mr 
Lovejoy : — 

"MRS.  CRITTENDEN: — 

"  "While  the  whole  nation  is  paying  its  tribute  of  willing  and 
abundant  honors  to  the  venerable  senator  whose  name  you  adorn 
and  whose  home  you  bless,  we,  the  guests  of  the  National,  and 
some  of  your  other  numerous  friends  in  Washington,  come  to  pay 
our  respects  to  your  many  excellencies. 

"We  bring  no  gifts  of  gold  or  silver  taken  from  the  cold  earth, 
but  we  offer  you  the  more  precious  treasures  of  our  hearts — our 
affection,  respect,  esteem,  and  admiration. 

"  For  many  years  you  have  held  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  best 
circle  of  Washington.  Your  exalted  place  in  society  has  been 
adorned  by  grace,  dignity,  courtesy,  and  kindness  universally  mani- 
fested. These  constantly  flowing  streams  could  have  no  other 
fountain  than  a  heart  full  of  goodness. 

"It  is  the  testimony  of  those  who  have  been  longest  your 
friends,  that  they  have  never  heard  from  you  a  word  that  could 
wound,  nor  seen  a  look  that  could  give  pain.  Detraction  you  have 
always  scorned ;  kindness  and  genial  feelings  you  have  cherished. 
You  have  thus  been  a  nation's  benefactress. 

"The  names  of  Cornelia,  Portia,  Madame  Roland,  and  Lady 
Holland  have  become  classic  in  history  for  their  patriotism,  high 
social  qualities,  and  domestic  virtues.  Uniting  the  patriotism  of 
the  Koman  matrons  to  the  conjugal  devotion  of  Madame  Roland 
and  the  polished  refinement  of  Lady  Holland,  your  presence  has 
diffused  a  charm  wherever  known.  You  have  shown  us  that  if 
political  life  is  an  ocean  with  its  dark  waves  and  angry  storms, 
social  life  may  be  a  calm,  serene  lake,  reflecting  bright  images  of 
purity  and  love. 

"  The  names  of  Mrs.  Hamilton,  Mrs.  Madison,  and  Mrs.  Critten- 
den will  always  shine  in  the  annals  of  social  life  in  Washington. 

"  We  pay  you  the  homage  of  our  sincere  respect  and  esteem. 
We  take  your  daguerreotype  upon  our  hearts,  and  will  keep  it 
fresh  while  memory  lasts. 


MRS.   J.   J.   CRITTENDEN.  335 

"The  hand  of  time  has  dealt  so  kindly  with  you  thus  far,  that 
while  you  have  the  health  and  vigor  of  middle  age,  you  still  retain 
the  freshness  and  vivacity  of  youth.  May  that  hand  still  lead  you 
gently  on,  till  we  all  meet  you  in  that  better  land,  where  youth  is 
perpetual  and  beauty  unfading!" 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Crittenden,  his  widow  re- 
mained for  a  time  at  Frankfort,  Kentucky.  She  is  now 
a  resident  of  the  City  of  New  York,  where  her  pleasant 
home  is  shared  by  the  family  of  her  eldest  daughter,  and 
where  she  still  dispenses  the  elegant  hospitality  of  one 
who  delights  in  making  others  happy. 


The  graces  of  Miss  Harriet  Lane,  the  niece  of  Presi- 
dent Buchanan,  were  mentioned  in  many  journals 
during  her  domestic  presidency  at  the  White  House. 
She  entertained  as  a  guest  the  heir  to  the  British  throne. 
She  was  with  her  uncle  in  London,  in  1855,  when  he 
was  the  American  Minister.  She  was  described  as  "  a 
stately,  high-bred  woman,  composed  and  elegant  in  her 
manners,  courtly  and  graceful  in  receiving ;  in  conver- 
sation self-possessed  and  very  cordial.  She  is  rather 
above  the  middle  height,  with  finely  moulded  person, 
complexion  fair,  with  delicate  color,  blue  gray  eyes,  and 
fine  brown  hair."  She  was  married  to  Mr.  Henry 
Elliott  Johnston,  and  resides  in  Baltimore. 

An  entertainment  given  at  the  house  of  Governor 
Aiken,  of  South  Carolina,  in  February,  1857,  was  pro- 
nounced the  most  brilliant  of  the  season  in  "Washington. 
"The  daughter  of  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the 


336  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Washington  Bar,  Mr.  Fendall,  was  there;  a  brilliant 
and  versatile  belle,  who  is  a  privileged  wit  in  society 
here,  expected  to  say  what  nobody  else  can  say.  Her 
face  is  full  of  a  hundred  laughing  fancies,  and  a  certain 
careless  ease  of  expression  denotes  that  she  is  not  afraid 
of  her  own  voice,  and  never  hesitates  to  laugh  or  retort 
when  the  impulse  is  upon  her." 

At  another  party,  at  Secretary  Guthrie's,  Miss  "Windle 
says  :— 

"  Conspicuous  among  the  belles  upon  the  floor  was 
Miss  Eliza  Morgan,  of  Kentucky,  a  queenly  looking  girl, 
in  black  velvet  and  pearls,  who  walked  through  the 
figures  like  an  empress  at  the  Cobourg.  This  lady  is 
chaperoned  by  the  wife  of  the  distinguished  Senator  from 
Kentucky— Mrs.  Crittenden." 

"  The  elegant  looking  wife  of  Judge  McLean,  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  was  there,  in  a  gorgeous  crimson  dress, 
and  one  of  those  labyrinths  of  blonde,  feathers,  and  vel- 
v.et,  which  Madame  Delaran.  says  she  is  obliged  to  invent 
to  appease  the  ravenous  appetite  for  head-dresses  of  our 
Washington  ladies." 

Mrs.  Slidell,  the  wife  of  the  Senator  from  Louisiana, 
afterwards  conspicuous  abroad  among  ladies  devoted  to 
the  Confederate  cause,  was  described  as  wearing  "  a  flow- 
ing dress  of  black  velvet,  with  a  superb  bandeau  of 
pearls,  binding  down  her  raven  hair  like  a  queen." 

At  Greenbriar  Springs  she  was  thus  noticed : — 

"  Mrs.  Slidell,  of  Washington,  is  here.  Every  one 
seems  anxious  to  receive  the  law  from  her  lips  on  all 


MES.    SLIDELL.  337 

points  of  fashionable  etiquette.  Her  influence  in  society 
is  remarkable.  Were  she  to  appear  attired  in  a  tunic 
and  zone,  the  ranks  of  fashion  would  swarm  with  Corde- 
lias and  Agrippiiias.  Were  she  to  discover  an  eighth 
deadly  sin  in  the  vulgarity  of  robust  health,  chicken 
broth  would  suffice  pour  tout  potage.  Should  she  favor 
tbe  fine  arts,  throngs  of  upper-tendom  would  bid  for  pic- 
tures they  did  not  want,  and  statues  they  did  not  appre- 
ciate." 

Mrs.  Slidell  was  Miss  Dalond,  of  Louisiana.  Her 
home  was  on  the  Mississippi  coast.  She  appeared  at 
an  entertainment  given  in  January,  1857,  at  Secretary 
McClelland's  :— 

"  We  recognized  the  brilliant  teeth  and  radiant 
smile  of  the  lady  of  the  Senator  from  Louisiana.  Encir- 
cling her  plainly  parted  hair  shone  a  circlet  of  diamonds 
which  might  have  been  the  ransom  of  a  Great  Mogul. 
The  charm  of  this  lady's  conversation  seems  irresistible. 
There  is  an  animation,  a  fascination  in  it,  which  we 
have  rarely  known  equaled.  The  peculiarity  of  her 
phraseology,  the  '  abandon '  with  which  she  speaks,  the 
grace  of  her  gestures,  excite  a  perpetual  interest,  and 
leave  such  a  delightful  impression,  that  all  seem  perfectly 
ready  to  do  every  thing  reasonable  and  unreasonable 
that  she  may  -request." 

At  Governor  Brown's  ball  given  in  January,  1858 — 

"  Mrs.  Slidell  appeared  in  a  Eussian  court-dress.  It 
consisted  of  a  coquettish  crimson  velvet  cap,  trimmed 
with  rich  lace  and  ostrich  feathers,  and  black  velvet 


338  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

dress,  the  little  jacket  of  which  was  trimmed  with  gray 
fur  of  the  most  light  and  aerial  description."  This  lady 
has  met  with  much  attention  in  Paris. 

The  wife  of  Senator  A.  G.  Brown,  of  Mississippi, 
"  was  in  a  superb  crimson  moire  antique,  with  point-lace 
trimmings.  This  lady's  high-bred  air  gives  great  dignity 
to  her  appearance,  while  her  hands  and  arms  are  those 
of  a  statue.  She  is  universally  beloved  in  our  city." 

Miss  Windle  wrote : — 

"One  of  the  most  brilliant  entertainments  ever  given  in  our 
city  came  off  at  the  residence  of  the  Postmaster-General,  Hon. 
A.  VI  Brown,  of  Tennessee.  He  married  a  sister  of  General  Pil- 
low. The  company  composed  the  elite  of  Washington.  The 
almost  regal  ball-room,  a  spacious  and  lofty  apartment  to  the  left 
of  the  entrance-hall,  was  lined  with  superb  mirrors,  extending  from 
floor  to  ceiling,  and  divested  of  furniture  to  make  room  for  the 
dancers.  In  the  drawing-rooms  opposite  those  who  declined 
dancing  might  retire,  and  find  cushioned  lounges,  chairs  of  any 
angle  of  inclination  suggested  by  the  fancy  of  elegance  and  ease, 
and  jardinieres  bright  with  flowers  from  the  hot-house  of  the 
Executive  mansion.  In  the  center  of  these  rooms  stand  the  host, 
hostess,  and  daughter,  receiving  the  guests. 

"Mrs.  Brown,  an  elegant-looking  woman,  is  dressed  in  rose- 
colored  brocade,  with  an  exquisite  resemblance  of  lace  stamped  in 
white  velvet  on  either  side;  a  point-lace  cape,  a  head-dress  of 
fleecy  whiteness,  with  a  few  ornaments  tastefully  arranged,  com- 
pleted her  attire.  But  it  is  the  lovely  girl  bv  her  side  we  wish  to 
draw  your  attention  to,  as  she  receives  the  salutations  of  her  moth- 
er's guests.  A  white  tissue  embroidered  in  moss  rosebuds,  a  circlet 
of  pearls  on  her  hair,  and  natural  flowers  on  her  bosom,  present  an 
appropriate  and  beautiful  contrast  to  her  mother's  more  elaborate 
and  gorgeous  toilet. 

"  The  charm  of  Miss  Sanders  is  her  simplicity  of  character — of 
all  qualities  the  most  acceptable  in  the  highly  artificial  society  of 
Washington.  This  sweet  girl  performs  on  the  harp  beautifully 


BELLES   IN  WASHINGTON.  339 

with  arms  as  white  as  those  Venus  might  have  lifted  above  the 
sea-foam,  and  little  pink-tipped  fingers,  so  delicate  and  taper  that 
one  feels  that  it  is  marvelous  how  they  can  pinch  the  cords  so  as 
to  produce  such  full-sounding,  pleasant  notes  as  they  do.  Young, 
lovely,  and  an  heiress,  like  Elizabeth  of  old,  whichever  way  ^h^ 
turns,  people  will  -assume  an  attitude- of  devotion.  Her  fortune 
will  insure  her  suitors  of  various  countries. 

"At  about  nine  o'clock,  the  guests  passed  from  the  heated  ball- 
room into  the  cool  interior  of  the  supper-room.  In  the  center  of 
the  table  stood  a  monster  bouquet,  composed  entirely  of  japonicas 
and  the  rarest  hot-house  flowers,  and  reaching  half  way  to  the 
ceiling.  Among  the  ornaments  of  the  table  was  one  which  elicited 
general  admiration.  It  was  the  exact  imitation  of  a  mammoth 
'nest,'  containing  two  harnessed  swans,  driven  by  a  man.  This 
ornament  was  made  of  the  finest  sugar,  and  spotlessly  white. 

"  But  here  comes  a  lady  with  a  regal  look  more  remarkable  in 
her  than  beauty.  Kubies  would  well  become  her  priac^r,  ^^u 
and  stately  head,  crowned  with  a  braid  of  profuse  black  hair.  This 
is  a  daughter  of  Duff"  Green.  She  was  Margaret  Green,  who  mar- 
ried Andrew  Oalhoun. 

"  Again  we  see  Mrs.  A.  Y.  Brown,  in  a  rich  blue  satin  dress, 
superb  flowers  of  point- lace — lace  which  a  Pope,  in  his  highest 
day  of  festival,  might  have  coveted.  But  it  is  not  on  her  richness 
of  dress  or  her  personal  beauty  that  our  pen  delights  to  dwell  when 
referring  to  this  inestimable  woman.  We  would  like  to  speak  of 
the  personal  qualities  of  one  of  the  noblest  and  best  of  her- sex — 
one  who,  as  a  mother,  wife,  and  friend,  stands,  we  thiuk,  without 
a  rival.  The  women  of  Tennessee  may  well  feel  proud  of  her,  for 
she  reflects  credit  upon  that  noble  State,  and  is  rich  in  qualities  of 
heart  that  truly  place  her  above  the  majority  of  her  sex." 

At  a  party  at  Lord  Napier's,  April,  1858 — 

"  One  guest  was  strikingly  conspicuous— a  daughter  of  Captain 
Dahlgren,  of  the  Navy.  She  was  a  slender  girl,  exquisitely  grace- 
ful, with  a  lovely  coral  mouth,  eyes  of  the  softest,  meekest  violet, 
and  a  face  shaded  with  long  golden  ringlets,  like  floating  rays  of 
sunshine.  It  was  her  first  appearance  in  society,  and  she  was  sim- 
ply dressed  in  white,  with  natural  flowers  on  her  bosom,  so  purely, 


840  QUEENS   OF  AMEEICAN  SOCIETY. 

freshly  beautiful,  that  they  were  tit  emblems  of  the  one  they 
adorned.  By  general  acclamation,  she  was  pronounced  the  loveliest 
of  that  brilliant  crowd,  and  as  such  was  selected  by  Lady  Napier 
to  open  the  festivities  of  the  evening. 

"  Mrs.  Pringle,  of  Charleston,  appeared  in  a  robe  of  very  elegant 
material,  the  flounces  edged  with  lemon-colored,  velvet."  I  remem- 
ber the  results  of  Mrs.  Julius  Pringle's  fine  taste  and  historical 
knowledge,  in  some  splendid  tableaux  at  a  fancy  ball  given  at  Mrs. 
Eoper's,  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina.  In  accuracy  of  costume 
and  striking  effect  those  tableaux  could  not  be  surpassed.  She  was 
noted  for  artistic  skill  in  such  matters. 

One  of  the  most  brilliant  and  intellectual  women  in 
the  South  was  the  wife  of  Mr.  Duval,  a  planter  from 
Louisiana,  and  son  of  the  former  Chief  Justice  of  Mary- 
land. Her  sister,  a  beautiful  girl  from  Natchez,  was  the 
belle  of  the  White  Sulphur  Springs  in  the  summer  of 
1857. 

Among  the  "  social  queens  "  of  the  late  Confederate 
Court  in  Kichmond,  Virginia,  Mrs.  James  Chestnut,  of 
Camden,  South  Carolina,  Mrs.  Davis,  and  Mrs.  Clement 
Clay  have  been  mentioned  as  eminent  for  culture,  wit, 
and  colloquial  powers.  They  won  the  admiration  of 
foreign  visitors,  as  well  as  the  Southern  people  who  had 
long  known  them. 

In  Baltimore,  Mrs.  Keverdy  Johnson  has  long  been 
prominent  as  a  leader  in  society.  She  was  very  beauti- 
ful and  queenly,  and  helped  to  advance  the  fortunes  of 
her  husband,  as  well  as  to  train  her  daughters  in  every 
accomplishment. 

Mrs.  Douglas,  the  widow  of  the  senator — a  cele- 
brated beauty — was  long  the  pride  of  Washington 


PROMINENT   LADIES.  34:1 

society.  She  has  a  second  time  entered  the  matrimonial 
state — the  wife  of  Colonel  Williams. 

Mrs.  Myra  Clark  Gaines  h.as  been  at  different  times 
prominent  in  society  at  Washington ;  but  her  life  has 
been  filled  with  too  much  of  struggle  and  suffering  to 
leave  her  much  leisure.  Her  name  is  familiar  to  every 
one,  and  her  romantic  history  is  generally  known.  A 
full  memoir  of  her  life,  occupying  a  large  volume,  is,  we 
understand,  in  preparation.  The  history  of  her  claim  to 
her  father's  estates, — prosecuted  under  various  discou- 
ragements for  thirty -five  years, — and  of  the  judicial  pro- 
ceedings in  regard  to  the  claim,  will  hereafter  be 
considered  one  of  the  most  extraordinary,  as  well  as  the 
most  interesting,  in  the  annals  of  American  jurispru- 
dence. 

Miss  Lucy  Crittenden,  the  sister  of  the  great  senator, 
possessed  superior  intellect,  and  had  extensive  social 
influence.  Her  husband,  Judge  Thornton,  was  member 
of  Congress  from  Alabama,  and  the  first  land  commis- 
sioner in  California.  Her  residence  is  in  San  Francisco. 


34:2  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 


XYII. 

AMONG  the  daughters  of  our  country  who  have  been 
distinguished  in  social  life,  a  few  have  aimed  at  some- 
thing above  the  mere  triumphs  of  fashion,  devoting  their 
energies  to  make  their  homes  a  paradise  and  diffuse  a 
happy  influence  on  all  around  them.  Of  these,  each  has 
created  for  herself  a  distinct  sphere  of  usefulness  and 
benevolence.  Mrs.  White's  peculiar  charitable  enterprise 
deserves  special  mention.  Her  method  of  realizing  large 
benefits  was  almost  a  novelty  in  America,  when  her 
splendid  success  called  forth  on  every  side  a  spirit  of 
generous  emulation.  Yet  much  as  she  has  achieved  for 
charity  in  these  public  undertakings,  as  well  as  in  the 
thousand  unknown  instances  in  which  she  has  been 
Mercy's  angel  to  the  poor  and  afflicted,  what  she  has 
accomplished  beneath  her  own  roof,  in  the  education  of 
her  children  and  the  management  of  her  household, 
ought  to  be  still  more  widely  known.  At  the  risk  of 
invading  the  privacy  of  domestic  life  while  describing 
the  woman  of  the  world,  we  may  hold  up  to  admiration 
the  wife,  the  mother,  and  the  friend,  justified  by  the  ob- 
ject in  view,  to  show  the  beneficent  and  extending  effects 
of  home  education. 

The  grandfather  of  Khoda  Elizabeth  Waterman  was 


MRS.   JAMES  W.  WHITE.  343 

one  of  three  brothers,  two  of  whom  served  as  officers  in 
the  Re  volution  ary  army.  General  Waterman,  her  father, 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Binghamton,  New  York, 
was  a  prominent  lawyer,  and,  as  such,  was  among  the 
legislators  who  revised  the  laws  and  statutes  of  2sTew 
York,  in  1829.  Her  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Gen- 
eral Whitney,  a  wealthy  landowner,  distinguished  as  well 
for  his  sterling  principles  and  high  character  as  for  his 
patriotism,  hospitality,  and  public  spirit. 

Many  venerable  and  respected  persons  of  the  olden 
time  speak  with  heartfelt  praise  of  General  Waterman 
and  his  admirable  wife,  and  describe  their  spacious  and 
comfortable  mansion  at  Binghamton  as  the  abode  of 
elegance  and  hospitality.  Mrs.  Waterman  elevated  all 
who  came  habitually  within  her  reach,  while  training 
her  children  with  jealous  care  for  lives  of  exemplary 
usefulness.  Hers  was  a  rare  and  exceptional  excellence. 
Brought  up  by  such  a  mother,  and  gifted  by  nature  with 
uncommon  qualities  of  mind  and  heart,  and  graces  of 
person,  Ehoda  Waterman,  at  a  very  early  age,  was  ad- 
mired alike  by  the  old  and  the  young. 

The  following  letter  from  Daniel  S.  Dickinson  speaks 
of  one  accomplishment  of  her  girlhood,  which  has  been  a 
great  charm  in  her  home  and  in  company  : — 

"  BINGHAMTON,  December  1, 1859. 
"My  DEAR  MRS.  WHITE: 

"Twenty-eight  years  since,  this  month,  I  came  to  reside  in 
Binghamton,  and  the  first  Sabbath  of  my  residence  was  deeply 
impressed  with  the  funeral  service  and  ceremonies  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  upon  the  death  of  Mrs.  James  McKinny. 


344  QUEENS  OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

"My  attention  was  turned  to  the  gallery  by  the  rich,  plaintive 
tones  of  a  sweet  female  voice,  rising  above  the  choir  and  the  organ 
in  the  'Dying  Christian ' — '0  Grave,  where  is  thy  victory?  O 
Death,  where  is  thy  sting?' 

"  I  inquired,  and  learned  that  the  singer  was  a  daughter  of 
General  Waterman,  yet  in  her  early  and  happy  girlhood. 

"  Since  then,  I  have  passed  from  early  manhood  to  age ;  have 
reared  children  and  committed  them  to  the  dust;  have  stood 
amongst  the  honored  of  the  land,  and  mingled  in  all  the  conflicts  of 
life :  but  the  notes  of  that  heavenly  song  yet  dwell  upon  my  ear. 

"  That  you  may  live  long  to  cheer  and  bless  those  who  love 
you,  and  to  adorn  society ;  and  when  it  shall  please  a  beneficent 
Providence  to  call  you  home,  that  you  may  experience  the  tri- 
umphs you  sang  so  beautifully,  is  the  prayer  of  one  who  is 
"Sincerely  yours, 

"DANIEL  S.  DICKINSON." 

At  the  date  of  the  above  letter,  the  lady  to  Tvhom  it 
was  written  had  become  the  mother  of  children  who 
adorned  her  home  with  the  virtues  and  accomplishments 
that  reward  the  fondest  parent's  most  devoted  love  and 
unremitting  labor.  Mr.  Dickinson,  while  visiting  that 
home,  could  hear  in  the  exquisite  voices  of  the  oldest 
daughters  the  echo  of  that  which  had  "  dwelt  upon  his 
ear"  so  many  years. 

At  a  very  early  age  Miss  Waterman  became  the  wife 
of  James  W.  White,  a  young  lawyer  of  Irish  birth  and 
parentage,  born  in  the  County  Limerick,  and  a  nephew 
of  Gerald  Griffin,  author  of  "  The  Collegians."  He  was 
of  an  excellent  family,  noted  for  the  virtues  as  well  as 
the  talents  of  its  members,  and  must  have  been  distin- 
guished by  uncommon  qualities  to  have  won  a  prize 
coveted  by  many  suitors  of  wealth  and  distinction. 


MRS.  JAMES   W.  WHITE.  345 

The  young  couple  took  up  their  residence  in  the  city 
of  New  York  in  1834;  and  from  that  time  Mrs.  White 
made  her  home  so  bright  and  so  attractive,  that  it  has 
ever  been  the  favorite  resort  of  the  refined  and  the 
youthful,  as  well  as  of  the  afflicted.  We  owe  it  to  the 
mothers  and  daughters  of  our  land  to  reveal  some  of  the 
hidden  causes  which  have  made  "  Castle  Comfort "  (so 
the  family  and  their  friends  delight  to  call  her  house)  an 
enchanted  abode,  as  well  to  its  inmates  as  to  all  who  are 
brought,  even  for  the  space  of  an  hour,  within  Mrs. 
White's  charmed  circle.  The  good  we  mean  to  do  by 
this  revelation  must  plead  our  excuse  for  it  with  this 
estimable,  lady.  From  her  own  accomplished  mother 
she  early  learned  the  science,  not  only  of  the  most  admi- 
rable domestic  economy,  but  of  increasing,  day  after  day, 
the  happiness  of  her  husband,  her  children,  and  her  ser- 
vants. Possessing  the  unbounded  confidence  of  her 
husband,  and  devoted  heart  and  mind  to  the  purpose 
of  affording  him,  beneath  his  own  roof,  all  elevating 
pleasures,  and  that  repose  of  every  faculty  needed  by 
a  lawyer  after  his  hard  mental  toil,  his  wife  never, 
from  her  bridal  day,  relaxed  her  efforts  to  render  his 
evenings  delightful,  and  with  the  ever  varying  devices 
of  womanly  affection  to  keep  his  soul  young  and  his 
heart  fresh  and  full  of  its  early  happiness.  Mrs.  White, 
from  the  first,  considered  it  her  most  sacred  duty  to  God 
and  to  her  husband  to  deepen,  purify,  and  increase,  in 
her  own  heart  and  in  his,  the  conjugal  affection  which 
bound  them  together,  and  which  she  prized  as  Heaven's 

15* 


846  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

best  gift.  And  God  blessed  the  effort.  Through  storm 
and  through  sunshine,  amid  the  severe  and  protracted 
trials  with  which  Providence  visits  His  best  beloved  ser- 
vants, when  sickness  came  and  death  snatched  rudely 
>  iwaj  some  one  of  the  lovely  children  that  bloomed 
around  the  doting  parents, — no  bereavement,  no  in- 
jury of  fortune  or  injustice  of  men,  ever  could  dim  the 
sunny  brightness  of  that  home,  nor  stop  the  How  of  that 
warm  tide  of  love.  To  the  stranger  or  the  friend  it  was 
a  touching  and  instructive  spectacle  to  see  these  happy 
parents,  so  youthful  in  spirit,  surrounded  by  their  chil- 
dren and  grandchildren, — as  keen  for  the  enjoyment  of 
song,  and  dance,  and  tale,  and  joke,  as  the  youngest  and 
blithest  in  the  circle.  One  was  reminded  of  those  beau- 
tiful trees  growing  amid  the  eternal  spring-tide  of  the 
valley  of  Mexico,  and  covered  the  whole  year  round  with 
unfading  verdure,  and  the  opening  blossom  side  by  side 
with  the  ripe  mellow  fruit. 

In  this  blissful  home,  created  by  superior  virtue  and 
talent,  the  mistress  delighted  to  dispense  the  courtesies 
and  kind  offices  of  true  hospitality, — her  own  sunny  and 
genial  temper  lending  them,  a  new  charm,  while  her 
finished  education  and  varied  attainments  rendered  her 
conversation  delightful,  and  enabled  her  to  afford  con- 
tinual enjoyment  to  visitors  of  the  most  refined  taste  and 
intellect.  It  may  be  said  of  her,  as  of  another  of  her 
sex,  "  to  know  her  well  was  itself  a  liberal  education." 
She  alone  was  the  teacher  of  her  children.  Certain 
hours  of  the  day  were  set  apart  for  study  and  instruction, 


MRS.  JAMES  W.  WHITE.  347 

with  which  she  permitted  no  engagement  to  interfere. 
In  the  higher  branches,  and  in  music — for  which  they 
had  extraordinary  talent — she  gave  them  lessons  and 
carefully  superintended  their  practice,  allowing  them  the 
assistance  of  masters  in  foreign  languages.  Idolizing 
their  mother  as  they  did,  they  needed  no  stimulus  but 
her  love  and  their  own  keen  appetite  for  knowledge. 
Thus  her  devotedness  and  their  own  loving  zeal  for 
study  were  rewarded  by  uncommon  proficiency  on  their 
part, — every  one  of  them  laying  the  foundation  of  a  solid 
education,  to  which  were  added  all  the  accomplishments 
that  embellish  social  life.  "  To  what  school  do  you  send 
your  children  ?"  was  frequently  asked  by  those  who 
wondered  at  their  progress. 

With  the  careful  training  of  their  minds  Mrs.  White 
combined  a  diligent  and  happy  tutoring  of  the  heart; 
and  not  rarely  were  their  domestic  pleasures  made  to 
develope  the  affections  as  well  as  the  mental  powers. 
Home  festivals  on  birth-nights,  or  on  the  return  of  ab- 
sent members  of  the  family,  were  frequently  given,  with 
private  operatic  or  dramatic  performances  by  the  chil- 
dren, dressed  in  appropriate  costume — the  drawing-room 
decorated  with  garlands  and  floral  mottoes.  Short  moral 
plays,  written  by  the  mother,  were  frequently  acted  by 
the  little  ones ;  and  their  musical  parts  were  sustained  to 
the  admiration  of  the  friends  who  listened.  Three  of 
the  daughters  possessed  voices  of  extraordinary  purity 
and  power,  and,  with  the  excellent  instruction  they  had 
received  were  capable  of  the  highest  vocal  perform- 


348  QUEENS  OF  AMEEICAN  SOCIETY. 

ances.  Nor,  while  thus  mingling  with  graceful  and 
natural  ease  with  the  gifted  and  eminent  in  society,  who 
came  to  their  mother's  receptions,  were  these  children 
permitted  to  neglect  the  culture  of  any  useful  art  or 
acquirement. 

A  friend  who  happened  to  visit  the  family,  after  a 
long  absence  and  severe  mental  trials,  could  not  help 
repeating  to  himself  the  sweet  lines  of  Jean  Ingelow : — 

"  There  was  once  a  nest' in  a  hollow: 
Down  in  the  mosses  aud  knot-grass  pressed, 
Soft  and  warm,  and  full  to  the  brim — 
Vetches  leaned  o'er  it  purple  and  dim, 

With  butter-cup  buds  to  follow. 
I  pray  you  hear  my  song  of  a  nest, 

For  it  is  not  long: 
You  shall  never  light,  in  a  summer  quest, 

The  bushes  among — 
Shall  never  light  on  a  prouder  sitter, 

A  fairer  nestful,  nor  ever  know 
A  softer  sound  than  their  tender  twitter, 

That  wind-like  did  come  and  go." 

Never  indeed  was  "  a  prouder  sitter  "  than  she  whose 
heart  had  made  that  nest  so  warm,  and  had  reared  into 
the  maturity  of  all  moral  and  intellectual  excellence 
such  a  numerous  brood.  She  sought  on  earth  no  other 
reward,  and  that  was  not  denied  her. 

Mrs.  White's  untiring  activity  was  not  confined  to 
the  education  of  her  children,  the  management  of  her 
household,  and  the  entertainment  of  her  numerous  rela- 
tives and  friends.  Even  when  burdened  with  the  care 
of  a  large  young  family,  her  thirst  for  doing  good  con- 
stantly led  her  to  seek  out  among  the  poorest  classes  of 


MRS.  JAMES  W.  WHITE.  34:9 

the  New  York  population,  and  in  the  most  wretched 
haunts,  the  objects  of  her  sympathy.  And  many  an 
anecdote  is  still  related  of  the  personal  risks  she  ran 
while  thus  endeavoring  to  reclaim  the  fallen  or  to  succor 
the  needy. 

A  soul  like  hers,  gifted  with  an  enlightened  and 
tender  piety,  and  not  unacquainted  with  the  bitterest 
pangs  of  suffering,  could  not  but  attract  the  afflicted 
and  feel  attracted  towards  them.  She  knew  them  to  be 
dearest  to  the  Saviour's  heart,  and  such  they  ever  were 
to  herself  and  her  children.  Her  daughters,  partaking 
of  their  mother's  piety,  shared  also  her  every  good  work 
undertaken  for  the  poor. 

In  1853,  in  conjunction  with  the  writer  of  this 
volume,  she  arranged  a  private  concert  at  Niblo's  Saloon 
in  aid  of  a  charitable  institution,  at  which  Madame 
Sontag  sang,  and  which  proved  "  the  great  fashionable 
event  of  the  season,"  and  the  most  successful  entertain- 
ment of  the  kind  ever  given  in  the  city.  In  1856,  Mrs. 
White  was  solicited  by  the  Sisters  of  Charity  to  use  her 
influence  in  obtaining  aid  for  the  rebuilding  of  their 
hospital.  A  great  idea  occurred  to  her,  and  Archbishop 
Hughes  approved  her  design.  A  meeting  of  the  ladies 
representing  the  different  Catholic  Churches  was  called; 
but  they  were  appalled  at  the  daring  plan,  and  were 
sure  no  possible  success  could  repay  the  outlay  necessary 
for  a  fair  held  in  the  Crystal  Palace.  Almost  a  storm 
of  opposition  greeted  the  proposal ;  but  Mrs.  White  was 


350  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

determined  to  carry  through  her  scheme,  and  alone 
assumed  the  direction  of  matters. 

Four  hundred  ladies,  representing  thirty-one  churches, 
were  engaged,  and  their  work  was  assigned  to  them. 
Their  disapproval  was  manifest,  even  to  the  day  of  the 
opening;  the  tide,  however,  soon  turned.  The  vast 
edifice  was  lighted  from  the  dome,  and  the  flags  of  many 
nations  draped  its  alcoves.  An  immense  variety  of 
foreign  goods  were  exhibited.  The  ladies  in  attendance 
were  in  full  dress,  and  each  department  was  picturesquely 
decorated,  presenting  a  scene  of  unrivaled  magnificence. 
The  whole  area  was  dazzling  in  its  gorgeous  beauty. 

As  the  crowd  poured  in  the  first  evening,  and  friends 
thronged  to  congratulate  the  queen  of  the  occasion,  she 
was  aifected  even  to  tears.  The  amount  cleared  by  this 
"  Great  Charity  Fair  "  was  thirty-four  thousand  dollars, 
a  splendid  memorial  of  the  indomitable  energy,  practical 
wisdom,  and  noble  zeal  of  her  who  had  been  the  soul  of 
the  enterprise.  This  was,  moreover,  the  first  Ladies' 
Fair  that  had  obtained  a  brilliant  success,  and  the 
largest — except  the  subsequent  Union  Sanitary  Fair  (in 
1864) — ever  given  in  the  United  States.  Visitors  flocked 
from  different  cities,  curious  to  see  it;  and  plans  for 
similar  enterprises,  inferior  in  extent,  were  discussed  in 
other  communities. 

At  the  close  of  the  Fair,  the  sisters  begged  Mrs. 
White's  acceptance  of  a  massive  silver  epergne,  as  a  mark 
of  their  gratitude.  But  she  declined  the  gift,  persuading 
them  to  dispose  of  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  hospital. 


MRS.  JAMES  W.  WHITE.  351 

It  was  not  surprising  that  one  who  had  achieved 
such  a  triumph,  should  be  beset  on  all  sides  with  entrea- 
ties to  give  her  influence  and  energies  in  support  of 
other  undertakings.  Inventors,  teachers,  managers  of 
charitable  institutions,  &c.,  sought  to  enrol  her  among 
their  patrons ;  and  more  private  applications  were  inces- 
sant. One  evening,  a  starving  woman  came  to  beg  for 
needle-work,  stating  that  she  was  the  widow  of  a  British 
officer,  whose  death  had  left  her  destitute,  with  a  son  ten 
months  old  ;  a  deafness  resulting  from  illness  preventing 
her  from  making  use  of  her  education  as  a  means  of 
support.  To  help  this  poor  woman,  Mrs.  White  gave 
the  first  private  charity  soiree  ever  given  in  New  York, 
and  realized  enough  to  take  and  furnish  a  room,  and 
provide  the  widow  with  a  sewing-machine,  by  which  she 
afterwards  gained  a  comfortable  living. 

In  1859,  Mrs.  White  was  president  of  an  association 
for  getting  up  a  large  fair  in  aid  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy. 
This  was  held  in  the  Academy  of  Music.  One  of  Mrs. 
White's  contributions  was  a  massive  volume  bound  in 
velvet  and  gold,  valued  at  twenty-five  hundred  dollars, 
of  the  rarest  and  most  precious  autographs  ever  collected. 
The  book  was  drawn  in  a  lottery,  after  a  goodly  sum  had 
been  raised  by  the  sale  of  tickets;  and  the  fortunate 
drawer  presented  it  to  the  original  donor.  The  Pope 
had  been  solicited  for  his  autograph;  but,  replying 
through  his  secretary,  he  preferred  to  contribute  a 
splendid  stone  cameo  set  in  gold. 

Of  the  amount  of  labor  required  to  fill  this  book 


352  QUEEN'S  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

with  its  valuable  array  of  autographs,  no  one  who  has 
not  tried  the  experiment  can  form  any  conception.  The 
following  letter  from  Archbishop  Hughes  is  suggestive 
in  more  than  one  way : — 

"Nirw  TOBK,  April  9, 1859. 

"¥Y  DEAR  MRS.  WHITE: 

..."  I  must  congratulate  you  on  this  one  thing,  that  in  your 
projects  for  aiding  the  charity  you  imitate  nobody.  Your  plan, 
may  be  successful ;  but,  after  a  first  successful  experiment,  it  can 
never  be  repeated  with  success.  I  know  your  idea  would  be  to 
have  autographs  of  the  few  great  living  men,  such  as  kings,  empe- 
rors, prime  ministers,  &c.,  &c.  These,  I  fear,  it  will  be  difficult,  if 
not  impossible,  to  obtain. 

"  Our  ministers  plenipotentiary  are  respected  at  the  different 
courts  of  Europe  on  account  of  the  prepotency  of  the  United  States 
which  they  represent.  But,  to  my  own  knowledge,  they  are,  aa  a 
general  rule,  held  in  personal  contempt.  They  would  not,  there- 
fore, be  able  to  obtain  the  signatures  of  the  European  courts  to 
which  they  are  accredited.  And,  knowing  the  state  of  the  case  as 
I  know  it,  I  should  be  afraid  to  solicit  from  them  any  autograph, 
except  it  might  be  of  distinguished  individuals  apart  from  court 

•circles I  know  the  fastidious  etiquette  of  European 

courts ;  and  if  there  be  any  chance  for  such  autographs,  it  must 
be  in  consequence  of  a  letter  from  yourself,  written  as  you  will 
know  how  to  write  it,  to  our  ministers  and  representatives.  Yon 
may  succeed  as  a  lady,  but  I  could  not  as  an  archbishop,  except  by 
the  merest  chance. 

.  .  .  "Besides,  I  will  ransack  further  all  Bishop  Brute's  papers, 
and  furnish  you  with  such  autographs  as  you  may  judge  of  interest 
for  your  book. 

"  I  remain, 

"  Very  sincerely,  your  friend  and  servant  in  Christ, 

"-I-  JOHN,  Archbishop  of  New  York." 

One  would  be  led  to  judge  that  these  repeated  labors 
for  public  or  private  charities,  and  the  temptation  to 


*  Rfl  E  §    W  „  W  BO  0  T  E  „ 


MRS.   JAMES  W.   WHITE.  353 

external  activity  begotten  by  public  triumphs,  must  have 
interfered  sadly  with  the  duties  of  domestic  life,  or  ren- 
dered the  repose  of  home  a  little  irksome.  It  was  not 
so,  however,  in  this  case.  Mrs.  White  all  the  while  con- 
tinued to  superintend  with  unrelaxed  assiduity  the  ad- 
vanced education  of  her  children  ;  studying  with  them, 
and  making  herself  their  companion  as  well  as  instruct- 
ress. She  was  continually  in  their  midst,  perfecting 
herself  in  some  already  familiar  branch  of  knowledge, 
or  pursuing  some  new  one  with  all  the  ardor  of  youth — 
hearing  the  lessons  of  her  youngest  girl,  encouraging,  by 
her  presence  and  advice,  the  higher  studies  of  her  mar- 
ried daughters,  and  then  giving  herself  up  to  her  own 
appointed  hours  for  self-improvement.  All  these  studies 
were  sanctified  by  the  spirit  of  prayer,  and  made  delight- 
ful by  the  sunny  smile  and  loving  words  of  the  mother, 
as  well  as  by  the  cheerful  eagerness  of  those  whom  she 
thus  trained  by  word  and  example.  An  hour  every  day 
was  set  apart  for  religious  reading  and  devotional  exer- 
cises. The  spirit  of  generosity  derived  from  the  lofty 
views  inculcated  by  their  mother,  not  only  led  the  chil- 
dren to  apply  with  alacrity  to  their  advancement  in 
knowledge,  but  to  seize  and  seek  every  opportunity  of 
performing  acts  of  self-denial  for  the  benefit  of  others. 
This  was  made  a  governing  principle  of  their  conduct 
towards  each  other,  and  hence  the  continual  and  touch- 
ing forgetfulness  of  self  in  the  endeavors  of  each  one  to 
make  all  the  others  happy.  Hence,  too,  their  readiness 
ever  to  disregard  present  suifering  or  personal  discom- 


354  QUEEN'S   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

fort,  where  an  effort  on  their  part  may  be  required,  or 
may  help  to  enliven  the  company  in  which  they  find 
themselves,  or  to  advance  any  public  or  private  good. 

No  opportunity  was  lost  of  impressing  these  golden 
rules  of  life  on  their  minds.  Few  mothers,  indeed,  un- 
derstand as  she  'did  the  importance  of  detail  and  illustra- 
tion in  recommending  Christian  duties.  It  is  one  thing 
to  inculcate  them  by  theory,  and  another  to  point  out 
the  way  to  practice  them.  With  the  mother's  self-sacri- 
ficing devotion  and  earnest  perseverance  in  duty,  she 
showed  the  habitual  cheerfulness  and  serenity  of  soul 
and  temper  on  whose  ever  equal  surface  no  interior 
trouble  or  external  tempest  could  produce  a  single 
ripple.  This  perpetual  calm  in  her  manner,  and  the 
bright  smile  she  ever  wore  in  the  most  trying  circum- 
stances, had  a  better  effect  on  the  young  spirits  around 
her  than  a  thousand  homilies.  Besides,  the  house  was 
always  neat,  and  resounding  with  pleasant  voices  ;  the 
household  (as  we  have  said)  managed  to  perfection ; 
the  indefatigable  spirit  and  strictly  disciplined  energies 
always  pressed  into  the  service  of  duty ;  the  warm 
atmosphere  of  affection  filling  the  home  thus  made  the 
happiest  spot  on  earth.  Could  it  then  be  wondered,  not 
that  husband  and  children  should  "  rise  up  and  call  her 
blessed,"  but  that  to  them,  one  and  all,  a  single  night 
spent  outside  of  such  a  home  should  appear  a  privation 
hard  to  bear? 

Home  parties  and  amusements  of  all  kinds  were  en- 
couraged. On  several  occasions  concerts,  and  an  entire 


MBS.   JAMES  W.    WHITE."  355 

opera,  were  performed  without  professional  assistance ; 
many  of  the  spectators  possessing  high  musical  culture, 
and  all  charmed  with  the  wonderful  artistic  skill  of  the 
sons  and  daughters,  who  owed  to  the  mother  their  rare 
attainments.  I  do  not  know  of  another  instance  of  such 
an  operatic  performance  in  a  private  drawing-room  as 
was  arranged  and  prepared  by  Mrs.  John  Mack,  one  of 
the  daughters,  and  in  which  she  and  other  members  of 
the  family  took  the  parts.  It  was  universally  voted  a 
perfect  success. 

How,  with  this  unwearied  and  all-absorbing  activity, 
has  Mrs.  White  found  leisure  to  write  books,  or  to  keep 
up  an  immense  correspondence  by  letters  ?  Yet  she  has 
done  both.  She  is  the  author  of  two  popular  works 
of  fiction :  "  Portraits  of  my  Married  Friends "  and 
"  Mary  Staunton ;"  both  successful,  but  not  to  be  here 
discussed. 

A  romantic  instance  of  the  ingenious  benevolence  of 

this  lady's  daughters  was  the  experience  of  Kate  De , 

a  beautiful  young  Irish  girl  who  lived  in  their  family, 
and  who,  being  wedded  above  her  station,  returned, 
after  her  husband's  death,  to  his  family  abroad.  She 
was  only  able  to  read  and  sign  her  name,  and  too  mu 
ashamed  of  her  ignorance  to  be  willing  to  betray  it  tt 
her  proud  connections.  She  sought  aid  from  the  three 
eldest  daughters  of  Mrs.  White.  Though  separated  by 
the  Atlantic  from  her,  they  educated  her  entirely  by 
letter,  instructing  her  thoroughly  in  the  common  English 
branches,  and  writing  out  an  entire  grammar,  geogra- 


356  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 


phy,  and  arithmetic  adapted  to  lier  comprehension  and 
use.  These  she  could  understand,  but  not  the  simplest 
school-books ;  and  under  this  training  she  became  a  well- 
educated  woman. 

Mrs.  White  has  had  an  extensive  correspondence 
with  the  learned,  the  gifted,  and  the  distinguished  in 
this  country  and  in  Europe.  She  may  well  be  called 
"  the  Semgne  of  the  United  States."  Archbishop  Ken- 
rick  of  Baltimore  and  Archbishop  Hughes  were  her  cor- 
.  respondents  and  intimate  friends ;  so  also  were  many  of 
our  statesmen,  and  not  a  few  generals  prominent  in  the 
late  war.  President  Lincoln  corresponded  with  her. 
Her  influence  is  extensive  as  the  Union,  and  over  the 
finest  minds  in  the  country.  Her  eldest  son,  General 
Frank  White,  had  a  military  career,  and  won  a  renown 
the  bravest  could  envy.  At  the  tine  when  the  Tenth 
Eegiment,  New  York  Zouaves,  took  their  departure  for 
Fortress  Monroe,  they  marched  to  the  residence  of  Mrs. 
White,  in  Fifth  Avenue,  where  they  were  presented  with 
a  regimental  flag  by  Miss  Nettie  White,  with  a  charm- 
ing address  to  the  soldiers. 

The  eldest  daughter  married,  in  186?,  Senor  Don 
Bernardino  del  Bal,  and  in  June,  1863,  left  New  York 
for  their  distant  home  in  Santiago  de  Verajjuas,  in  the 
State  of  Panama.  On  returning  from  the  steamer  which 
bore  away  her  idolized  child,  the  heroic  mother,  with 
her  heart  yet  agonized  with  the  parting,  and  her  eyec 
Btill  streaming  with  tears,  accompanied  her  second 
daughter,  Ellen,  to  the  Convent  of  the  Sacred  Heart, 


MRS.   JAMES  W.   WHITE.  357 

and  gave  her  up  that  very  hour  to  the  home  she  had 
chosen  for  herself  among  the  Brides  of  the  Lamb. 

On  her  arrival  at  Santiago,  Seiiora  del  Bal  set  to 
work  to  enlighten,  elevate,  and  refine  the  numerous  and 
long-neglected  population,  which  unceasing  civil  strife 
and  all  its  demoralizing  influences  had  reduced  to  a  sad 
state  of  spiritual  destitution.  In  Santiago,  besides  find- 
ing every  place  of  worship  closed  by  the  tyrannical 
decrees  of  that  odious  usurper  and  despot,  Mosquera,  she 
saw  the  Indian  and  colored  people  deprived  of  every 
chance  of  religious  or  mental  culture.  She  put  into  exe- 
cution every  means  which  her  experience,  ingenuity,  and 
zeal  could  suggest  to  remedy  these  evils,  and  obtain  for 
her  labors  the  sympathy  and  co-operation  of  the  wealthy 
and  educated.  It  would  be  hard  to  say  by  whom  the 
young  and  delicate  stranger  is  most  looked  up  to  and 
most  revered,  the  native  Indian  and  colored  people  in 
town  and  country,  or  the  proud,  sensitive,  and  quick- 
witted Spaniards.  She  has  equally  benefited  both  :  the 
latter  by  her  superior  and  enlightened  piety,  by  the 
graces  and  virtues  with  which  she  adorns  her  home  and 
her  conduct ;  the  former  by  making  her  blessed  influence 
felt  far  and  wide,  in  Sunday-schools  established  by  her, 
in  hospitals,  at  the  sick-bed  of  the  plague-stricken,  as 
well  as  in  the  remotest  and  most  wretched  hovel  where 
extreme  want  or  extreme  suffering  called  for  her  pre- 
sence. Everywhere  she  is  hailed  as  a  ministering  angel, 
and  bishop  and  priests  and  people,  the  high  and  the 
lowly  alike,  sound  the  praises  and  bless  the  name  of  the 


358  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

sweet  American  lady,  "  La  Nina  Jenny,"  as  they  delight 
to  call  her  in  their  heartfelt  gratitude. 

Mrs.  White  performed  an  important  part  in  the 
great  Fair  for  the  Orphans'  Protectorate  of  New  York, 
in  1867.  Presents  from  General  Grant,  Colonel  P.  G. 
Washington,  Colonel  James  A.  Hamilton,  Chief  Justice 
Chase,  and  many  other  personal  friends,  adorned  her 
table.  One  splendid  set  of  Magelica  ware  was  the  gift 
of  the  Marchioness  of  Londonderry,  who  has  been  for 
years  the  friend  and  correspondent  of  Mrs.  White. 

Thus  does  the  current  of  that  life  of  devotedness  gain 
depth  and  width  and  strength  as  it  approaches  the  ocean, 
diffusing,  as  it  goes  onward,  a  still  wider  beneficence. 
None  of  life's  painful  experiences — and  the  saddest  of  all, 
in  the  death  of  her  husband,  has  fallen  upon  her  as  these 
lines  are  printed — have  chilled  the  warm  heart  where 
Christian  faith  and  love  are  ruling  principles.  Her  noble 
deeds  are  a  bright  example  for  her  countrywomen ;  the 
sweet  poem  of  her  life  illustrating  the  truth  of  the  lines : — 

"  We  need  not  go  abroad  for  stones  to  build 
Our  monumental  glory ;  every  soul 
Has  in  it  the  material  for  its  temple." 


On  the  5th  of  February,  1854,  two  charitable  ladies 
•who  were  conspicuous  in  the  best  society  of  New  York 
were  conversing  together  of  the  great  suffering  among 
the  poor.  One  of  them,  Mrs.  Thomas  Addis  Emmet, 
who  had  long  been  a  manager  of  the  Marion  Street 


MRS.   DUBOIS.  359 

Lying-in  Asylum,  spoke  feelingly  of  the  miseries  of 
neglected  infants,  and  of  mothers  compelled  by  poverty 
to  give  the  children  of  the  rich  the  nourishment  intended 
by  nature  for  their  own.  She  mentioned  an  instance  of 
a  nurse  weeping  over  her  charge,  to  think  what  comforts 
she  was  enjoying  in  a  good  home,  while  her  own  child, 
to  whom  she  could  not  attend,  was  exposed  to  unknown 
sufferings.  One  who  pitied  her  distress,  going  to  see 
after  her  child,  stood  at  night  in  a  small,  dirty  basement 
room,  by  the  bed  of  a  sick  woman,  who  replied  to  her 
questioning :  "  My  baby  died  yesterday  of  small-pox." 
— "  And  where  is  the  nurse-baby  ?"  asked  the  visitor. 
"  Oh,  if  it's  that  you  want,  here  it  is,"  said  the  woman, 
leaning  over  and  drawing  from  under  her  bed  a  basket 
of  soiled  clothes,  among  which  lay  the  forlorn  infant. 
The  visitor  took  off  its  rags,  wrapped  it  in  her  shawl, 
took  it  home,  bathed  and  dressed  it,  sent  for  a  physician, 
and,  by  the  Divine  blessing,  saved  it  from  death.  This 
incident,  related  with  the  eloquence  of  Christian  feeling, 
gave  rise  to  the  first  conception  of  an  institution  which 
soon  became  an  honor  to  New  York.  In  a  few  weeks 
ten  thousand  dollars  were  subscribed,  and  in  less  than  a 
month  from  the  first  inception  of  the  idea,  the  "  Nursery 
for  the  Children  of  Poor  Women"  was  organized  and 
chartered.  Before  this  refuge  was  provided,  Mrs.  Dn- 
bois,  the  lady  to  whose  energetic  efforts  it  owed  its 
existence,  had  been  in  the  habit  of  looking  up  the  poor 
children  of  wet  nurses  among  her  circle  of  friends,  and, 
until  rooms  could  be  provided  for  them,  of  giving  them 


360  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

shelter  in  her  own  beautiful  house  on  Gramercy  Park. 
The  building  soon  became  so  full  that  more  extensive 
accommodations  were  required.  This  was  the  first  at- 
tempt made  in  New  York,  or  the  country,  to  provide  an 
asylum  for  the  shelter  and  care  of  infants.  The  first 
idea  was  to  form  an  asylum  for  the  children  of  wet 
nurses,  or  those  otherwise  deprived  of  a  mother's  care ; 
and  for  the  daily  charge  of  those  little  ones  whose 
mothers  were  obliged  to  labor  away  from  their  own 
Jiomes  to  gain  a  subsistence.  When  it  was  found  that 
the  institution  had  been  commenced  on  too  small  a  scale, 
applications  were  made  both  to  the  State  Legislature 
and  to  the  city  authorities  for  assistance ;  and  the  result 
was  a  grant  from  the  city  of  a  perpetual  lease  of  a  plot 
of  ground  one  hundred  and  forty  feet  wide,  and  one 
hundred  feet  deep;  while  the  State  gave  ten  thousand 
dollars  towards  the  erection  of  a  suitable  building. 

The  necessity  of  a  "  Child's  Hospital"  became  appa- 
rent; and  on  application  to  the  Legislature  in  March, 
1857,  an  act  was  passed  changing  the  name  of  the  Insti 
tution  to  "  The  Nursery  and  Child's  Hospital."  A  new 
building  was  erected  in  1858,  and  the  funds  necessary  for 
the  support  of  the  charity  which  voluntary  contributions 
did  not  supply  were  raised  year  after  year  by  public 
entertainments  given  by  the  lady  managers  at  the  Aca- 
demy of  Music.  Thus  the  Institution  was  linked  with 
associations  of  fashionable  amusement.  Not  long  after- 
wards another  noble  charity  was  added  to  this — a  Found- 
ling Hospital  for  the  admission  of  illegitimate  children 


MRS.   DUBOIS.  361 

whose  mothers  were  previously  of  good  character.  In 
December,  1865,  it  was  leased  to  the  "Nursery"  as  a 
Lying-in  Asylum — a  place  for  the  reception  of  young 
women  who  had  borne  irreproachable  characters  till 
overtaken  by  one  fault,  and  who  had  no  other  refuge. 
The  three  institutions  are  now  blended,  and  under  the 
care  of  the  same  directress,  Mrs.  Cornelius  Dubois,  who 
had  given  up  the  triumphs  of  fashionable  life  to  have  her 
time  and  her  heart  engrossed  by  the  claims  of  this  cha- 
rity. She  has  made  it  so  popular  among  the  leading 
ladies  of  the  metropolis  that  the  Institution  is  generally 
regarded  as  a  favorite  with  them.  The  most  gorgeous 
public  balls  given  at  the  Academy  of  Music  under  their 
patronage  have  been  for  its  benefit;  and  at  many  con- 
certs for  the  same  object,  year  after  year,  those  ladies 
have  contributed  by  their  amateur  singing  and  instru- 
mental music. 

Mrs.  Dubois  was  Miss  Delafield.  She  has  also  been 
distinguished  for  her  skill  in  sculpture  and  cameo-cut- 
ting. Her  works  in  this  line  have  been  mentioned  with 
high  praise.* 

Another  noble  charity  to  which  the  most  distin- 
guished ladies  of  New  York  gave  their  co-operation,  and 
in  aid  of  which  many  brilliant  entertainments  were 
given,  was  that  for  the  benefit  of  the  soldiers'  orphans. 
A  later  one,  which  has  enlisted  the  warmest  feelings  of 
sympathy,  is  the  "  Southern  Relief  Association,"  appeal- 


*  See  "  "Women  Artists  in  all  Ages  and  Countries  " 
10 


362  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

ing  for  aid  to  the  suffering  women  and  children  of  the 
South.  No  public  charity  has  ever  been  so  popular. 
The  winter  of  1866-67  was  crowded  with  amusements 
for  it,  and  it  is  believed  that  none  have  been  so  unfeel- 
ing as  to  oppose  its  triumphs. 


Mrs.  Emmet  is  the  widow  of  Thomas  Addis  Emmet, 
the  son  of  the  distinguished  Irish  patriot,  and  a  lawyer 
of  hip-b  standing  in  New  York.  She  is  the  daughter  of 
John  Tom,  one  of  the  firm  of  Hoyt  and  Tom,  noted  East 
India  merchants.  Mrs.  Emmet  was  an  admired  leader 
in  the  best  social  circles  of  the  metropolis,  as  a  youthful 
matron,  and  her  influence  was  most  useful  in  promoting 
public  and  private  charities.  She  was  the  devoted  bene- 
factress of  the  poor,  to  whom  she  gave  the  time  that 
could  be  spared  from  the  cares  of  a  large  family.  Their 
residence  was  a  beautiful  estate  on  Fifty-ninth  Street, 
between  the  old  Boston  Post-road  and  Third  Avenue. 
There  was  an  elegant  mansion,  with  extensive  grounds 
and  gardens,  and  a  private  cricket-ground.  A  fete  waa 
given  there  in  1844,  which  created  a  great  sensation. 
For  seventeen  years  Mr.  Emmet's  family  lived  at  this 
beautiful  country-seat,  till  the  advancing  city  encroached 
upon  it.  Then  they  removed  to  New  York. 


MRS.  RUSH.  363 


XVIII. 

IT  is  not  often  that  a  celebrity  which  may  be  culled 
historical  is  gained  by  leadership  in  the  fashionable 
circles  of  a  large  city  without  beauty  or  attractive  per- 
sonal qualities,  and  without  association  with  any  great 
social  event  or  institution.  Such  was  the  celebrity  of 
Mrs.  Bush  in  Philadelphia.  Her  attainment  of  pre- 
eminence in  spite  of  many  disadvantages  argues  rare 
powers  of  intellect.  She  was  Ann  Ridgway,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Ridgway,  who  rivaled  Girard  in  the  acquisi- 
tion of  great  wealth  by  commercial  pursuits.  Ann  was 
born  in  Philadelphia,  and  inherited  a  goodly  share  of 
her  father's  fortune.  Her  income  was  a  large  one  for 
that  day ;  her  husband  having  also  an  independent  prop- 
erty. Her  education  was  completed  in  Europe,  where 
she  spent  several  years,  and  acquired  more  than  the 
usual  share  of  accomplishments  then  deemed  essential  to 
a  lady.  In  those  days  mental  culture  was  more  thorough 
than  at  present,  if  the  facilities  were  less.  Miss  Ridg- 
way mingled  in  the  best  society,  and  acquired  that  taste 
for  the  elegancies  of  life  which  was  afterwards  shown  in 
her  days  of  sovereignty  over  the  society  of  Philadelphia. 
She  was  married  to  Dr.  James  Rush,  the  son  of  the 
celebrated  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush,  one  of  the  signers  of  the 


364  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

Declaration  of  Independence,  the  fame  of  whose  genius 
and  scientific  attainments  spread  throughout  Europe ; 
whose  works  were  quoted  by  Lord  Byron,  and  rewarded 
by  the  first  Alexander  of  Russia.  Having  his  origin  in 
such  noble  intellectual  stock,  the  son  maintained  the 
celebrity  of  the  name  by  his  original  and  profound  work 
on  "  The  Philosophy  of  the  Human  Voice,"  which  has 
furnished  material  and  guidance  to  so  many  treatises  on 
elocution. 

Though  abroad  a  long  time,  Mrs.  Rush  passed  most 
of  her  life  in  Philadelphia,  and  did  not  take  the  lead  in 
social  life  till  her  return  from  Europe.  Her  latest  resi- 
dence was  in  "West  Chestnut  Street,  Philadelphia.  The 
building  was  erected  about  1849,  and  was  magnificent 
in  its  proportions,  and  the  splendor  of  its  internal  plan 
and  decorations.  Here  the  mistress  of  the  mansion  was 
accustomed  to  dispense  those  enlarged  hospitalities  which 
"  have  given  her  an  unsurpassed  eminence  in  American 
society."  She  had  a  genuine  love  for  the  arts,  and  was 
invariably  a  liberal  and  impartial  friend  to  artists  of 
every  grade.  At  her  weekly  receptions  it  was  her  de- 
light to  assemble  them  around  her,  to  introduce  them  to 
persons  who  might  appreciate  their  talents  and  promote 
their  success ;  and  not  unfrequently  to  assist  them  in  a 
more  direct  manner.  Her  annual  balls  were  magnifi- 
cent ;  the  drawing-rooms  of  her  house  were  more  spa- 
cious and  more  sumptuously  furnished  than  those  of 
almost  any  other  private  residence  in  Philadelphia,  and 
there  was  unstinted  outlay  in  both  the  decorations  and 


MRS.   RUSH.  365 

the  entertainment.  A  gentleman  who  was  her  guest, 
described,  on  one  occasion,  "  her  superb  dress  of  Genoa 
velvet  and  lace,  and  the  exquisite  gems  that  adorned  her 
person.  Feathers  drooped  from  her  hair,  and  she  car- 
ried in  her  hand  a  fan  made  of  plumes  of  the  richest  dye, 
ornamented  with  a  bird-of-paradise  with  diamond  eyes 
and  claws  set  with  rubies."  Mrs.  Rush  always  gave  her 
visitors  a  cordial  greeting,  with  unaffected  kindliness  of 
manner.  She  was  pleased  to  show  her  plants  and  the 
choice  flowers  in  her  conservatories.  These,  as  well  as 
the  halls,  dancing  saloons,  and  corridors,  were  always 
thrown  open — and  the  light,  alternately  brilliant  and 
subdued,  the  clear,  pealing  music  at  intervals,  from  the 
band  playing  on  the  staircase,  the  company  of  splendidly 
dressed  women,  the  dancing  and  promenading  through 
the  different  rooms,  the  lavish  and  gorgeous  supper,  with 
the  charming  manner  and  lively  conversation  of  the 
hostess,  put  the  most  timid  at  their  ease,  and  made  her 
parties  ever  agreeable.  While  she  presided  thus  ovei 
the  festive  scene,  her  husband,  it  was  said,  often  sat 
alone  in  his  library,  absorbed  in  study,  or  enjoying  the 
contrast  of  perfect  quiet  with  the  bewildering  gayety  of 
the  rest  of  the  house. 

Mrs.  Rush  was,  by  universal  consent,  acknowledged 
to  be  the  queen  of  Philadelphia  fashionable  society. 
"  This  community,"  said  a  resident,  "  requires  despotism 
to  move  it  from  its  frigidity.  There  must  be  one  sove- 
reign— the  appointed  of  fashion,  the  layer  down  of  law. 
Partly  from  charity,  partly  from  ambition,  this  large- 


366  QUEENS  OF  AMEKICAU  SOCIETY. 

hearted  and  energetic  woman  took  into  her  own  hands 
the  reins  of  government,  and  has  shown  herself  a  second 
Semiramis."  It  was  well  for  those  over  whom  she 
reigned,  that  none  could  say  she  did  not  use  her  power 
with  generosity.  At  the  parties  given  hy  Mrs.  Rush, 
the  most  prodigal  splendor  was  exhibited  in  the  services 
of  china,  glass,  and  gold  and  silver  plate,  and  in  the  pro- 
fusion of  flowers.  Yet  in  the  more  strictly  artistic 
adornments — such  as  pictures — there  was  rather  a  defi- 
ciency of  the  best  works ;  and  there  were  comparatively 
few  antiques  or  articles  of  vertu. 

A  lady  who  had  been  entertained  in  the  aristocratic 
circles  of  Europe,  described  one  of  Mrs.  Eush's  parties  as 
excelling  any  she  had  seen  in  sumptuous  appointments. 
The  tables  were  set  the  entire  length  of  the  supper-room, 
with  cushioned  seats  of  blue  damask,  and  a  service  of 
the  costliest  china,  for  the  accommodation  of  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  out  of  the  eight  hundred  guests  invited. 
The  servants  at  the  foot  of  the  tables,  wearing  broad 
blue  ribbons,  interdicted  the  entrance  of  more  guests  at 
a  time.  The  hostess  walked  through  her  rooms,  wear- 
ing a  robe  of  pompadour  velvet,  with  an  under  dress  of 
white  satin  covered  with  lace;  the  robe  looped  with 
marabout  feathers  and  diamonds ;  with  low  corsage. 

Mrs.  Rush  seemed  to  consider  her  parties  as  a  neces- 
sary duty  to  society,  yielding  her,  however,  little  gratifi- 
cation. The  attractions  of  intellectual  cultiration  had 
no  play  in  such  crowded  reunions.  It  was  a  yearly 
sacrifice  to  fashion.  She  rarely  gave  small  parties, 


MRS.   RUSH.  367 

except  to  gentlemen.  Besides  these  annual  balls,  Mrs. 
Rush  had  morning  receptions  every  Saturday,  when  she 
always  had  something  attractive  or  curious  to  amuse  her 
guests.  Sometimes  it  would  be  a  fashionable  tenor; 
sometimes  children  who  recited  verses ;  and  on  one  occa- 
sion the  Aztecs  were  shown,  before  they  became  common 
in  public  exhibitions.  Of  course  many  persons  desired 
to  attend  these  parties  who  were  not  acquainted  with  the 
lady,  and  she  was  frequently  annoyed  with  applications 
for  cards  of  invitation.  An  invitation  was  once  taken 
through  mistake  to  a  Miss  Patterson,  a  stranger,  who 
was  advised  to  accept  it.  Fancying  a  degree  of  coldness 
in  the  manner  of  her  hostess,  Miss  Patterson  requested  a 
friend  to  inquire  if  the  card  had  been  meant  for  her,  and 
ascertained  that  it  had  been  intended  for  a  vocalist. 
She  insisted  on  leaving  the  house,  notwithstanding  Mrs. 
Eush's  request  that  she  would  remain.  The  next  day 
an  article  appeared  in  the  papers  stating  that  Mrs.  Rush 
had  sent  a  lady  out  of  her  house  who  had  received  an 
invitation  by  mistake. 

These  receptions  had  decidedly  a  musical  character. 
Grisi  and  Mario  were  at  one,  and  many  celebrated 
artistes  who  were  visiting  Philadelphia  had  here  an 
opportunity  of  being  introduced  to  those  who  might 
become  friends  and  patrons.  Actors  of  merit  were 
welcome  as  well  as  vocalists,  and  those  who  excelled  in 
painting;  yet  the  assemblages  were  generally  select. 
Attractive  ladies  were  sure  of  invitations,  perhaps  that 
they  might  render  the  house  agreeable  to  gentlemen ; 


368  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

for  Mrs.  Rush  was  well  known  to  have  no  partiality  foi 
her  own  sex.  Sometimes  she  pressed  an  invitation  with 
great  kindness ;  once  ordering  a  pretty  dress  sent  to  a 
South  Carolinian  lady  who  had  not  come  prepared  with 
a  costume  suitable  for  her  ball.  Yet  she  would  perhaps 
turn  coldly  in  the  street  from  a  woman  who  presumed, 
on  an  invitation  to  one  of  her  receptions,  to  join  her  in  a 
walk.  A  Philadelphia  lady  asked  for  a  card  for  a 
female  friend ;  it  was  refused,  but  permission  was  ver- 
bally given  to  bring  her.  Mrs.  Rush  was  said  to  be 
tyrannical  in  social  ethics,  though  indulgent  to  her 
gentlemen  friends.  A  New  York  paper  called  her  "  one 
of  the  few  relics  of  the  old  school."  She  had  steadfast 
ideas  of  democracy,  and  was  independent  enough  to  carry 
them  into  her  drawing-room.  Above  all  things  she  had 
a  hatred  of  "  snobs."  It  was  a  pleasure  to  her  to  break 
down  conventional  distinctions  which  had  no  ground  in 
reason.  Inviting  whom  she  chose  to  her  parties — always 
persons  of  good  character — the  son  or  daughter  of  the 
tradesman  or  retailer  found  a  warm  welcome  to  her 
reunions,  if  known  to  possess  personal  worth.  This  was 
a  noble  trait  of  character;  and  when  her  inviolable 
fidelity  to  the  few  friends  she  trusted,  and  her  liberal 
charities  and  many  kind  acts  are  placed  in  the  account, 
it  must  be  conceded  that  hers  was  a  generous  nature, 
true,  strong,  and  earnest  in  its  aversion  to  all  meanness 
or  falsehood.  She  always  manifested  a  deep  respect  for 
intellect ;  and  it  was  her  reverence  for  mental  gifts  and 
culture,  and  sternly  disciplined  character,  that  caused 


MRS.   RUSH.  369 

her  preference  for  men.  Notwithstanding  the  endless 
gossip  about  her  with  the  stronger  sex,  those  who  knew 
;my  thing  of  her  were  constrained  to  admit  that  Her 
intimacy  never  bordered  in  the  least  on  flirtation.  She 
had  no  personal  attractions,  and  never  desired  admira- 
tion. Her  taste  for  the  ornamental  seemed  to  expend 
itself  in  a  passionate  love  of  flowers.  Her  conservatories 
were  something  royal.  "  You  ought  to  be  a  happy  man," 
said  a  Philadelphia  lady  to  Dr.  Rush,  when  she  was 
admiring  this  floral  magnificence.  "I  have  always  been 
a  happy  man,"  was  his  reply. 

It  was  Mrs.  Rush's  custom  to  go  to  Saratoga  almost 
every  summer.  Her  example  there  might  well  be  fol 
lowed  by  fashion's  votaries,  so  far  as  moderation  in  dress 
was  concerned.  She  took  but  few  dresses ;  usually  one 
of  black  silk,  one  of  grenadine,  and  a  poplin  for  morning 
wear ;  and  one  trunk  sufficed  her.  She  always  appeared 
in  black,  reserving  her  rich  colored  dresses  for  home  wear 
— and  always  gave  away  on  her  return  those  she  had 
worn  at  Saratoga. 

The  following  letter  mentions  a  fancy  ball  at  the 
Springs  in  August,  1849  : — 

"  All  around  the  different  wings  of  the  hotel  was  in  a  blaze  of 
light,  and  the  company  might  be  seen  gathering  in  costumes  before 
the  dancing  commenced.  Turks,  flower-girls,  Quakers,  goddesses, 
nuns,  and  court  ladies,  all  gracefully  and  gayly  threading  their  way 
among  the  crowd,  were  seen  in  the  porticos  of  the  windows,  and 
along  the  illuminated  walks.  In  the  full  blaze  of  the  ball-room, 
some  of  the  costumes  could  not  be  surpassed  for  costliness  of 
material  and  exquisite  design.  Laces  delicate  as  gossamer,  and  of 
rare  value,  seemed  to  take  new  delicacy  from  the  jewels.  Mm 
16* 


370  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

Rush,  of  Philadelphia,  wore  a  scarf  of  rich  lace  worth  its  weight 
in — gold  will  not  answer  here — its  weight  in  diamonds.  The  jet 
and  jewels  upon  her  bosom  seemed  absolutely  sparkling  through  a 
wreath  of  mist." 

On  either  side  of  Mrs.  Rush  .at  table  were  always 
Beats  for  gentlemen  chosen  by  herself.  When  onf 
chanced  to  be  vacated  by  the  departure  of  the  friend, 
she  selected  another  occupant,  and  signified  her  pleasure 
to  the  fortunate  individual;  always  making  two  condi- 
tions, to  which  the  gentleman  was  obliged  to  assent 
before  she  would  name  them.  Of  course  he  promised 
compliance,  sure  that  the  lady  would  stipulate  for  noth- 
ing unreasonable.  The  first  promise  he  was  required  to 
make,  and  keep  absolutely  inviolate,  was,  that  whenever 
he  thought  proper  to  order  any  special  delicacy  from  the 
restaurant,  he  would  never  invite  Mrs.  Rush  to  partake 
of  it.  The  second  was,  that  whenever  she  chose  to  ordei 
any  such  dainty,  and  to  offer  it  to  him,  he  would  not 
refuse  to  accept.  These  conditions  were  always  insisted 
on,  and  always  observed.  At  the  next  meal,  the  new 
occupant  would  be  formally  installed  in  his  place.  Mrs. 
Rush  often  drove  to  Saratoga  Lake  and  took  dinner, 
inviting  one  or  two  favored  friends  to  accompany  her.? 
The  banks  of  the  lake  were  a  favorite  walk  with  her. 
While  at  the  watering-place  she  did  not  remit  her 
studies,  taking  a  lesson  in  German  and  one  in  music 
nearly  every  day.  When  asked  why  she  continued  her 
musical  practice  in  this  way,  while  she  was  never  known 
to  play  in  company,  she  replied  that  she  took  the  lessons 


MBS.   RUSH.  371 

in  that  and  German  in  fulfilment  of  a  promise  to  a. 
deceased  friend.  She  was  fond  of  reading,  and  a  great 
linguist ;  and  was  always  exact  in  properly  filling  up  the 
hours  of  her  day.  Much  of  it  was  devoted  to  out-door 
exercise.  She  walked  a  great  deal ;  not  only  in  summer, 
but  in  winter,  without  heeding  inclemencies  of  weather. 
Her  last  ball  was  given  in  January,  1857,  and  was 
of  great  splendor.  It  was  about  six  in  the  morning 
when  the  last  guest  had  departed,  and  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Rush  retired  to  their  rooms,  which  communicated  by  a 
door.  Mrs.  Rush  removed  her  diamonds  and  left  them 
in  their  caskets  on  her  table,  the  outer  doors  of  both 
apartments  being  fastened.  It  was  afternoon  when  she 
arose  and  took  breakfast.  Being  still  overcome  with 
fatigue,  both  she  and  her  husband  went  to  bed  very 
early,  and  she  did  not  put  away  her  jewels.  In  the 
night  she  fancied  she  heard  the  door  leading  from  her 
room  to  Dr.  Rush's  open  or  shut ;  but,  supposing  that  he 
was  passing  through,  paid  no  attention  to  the  circum- 
stance. He  too  heard  the  noise,  and  "  wondered  what 
Ann  was  up  for,"  but  took  no  heed  of  it.  At  daylight 
the  next  morning — it  was  Saturday — Mrs.  Rush  recol- 
lected that  she  had  not  left  on  the  ledge  or  table  outside 
some  money  for  an  article  she  was  always  accustomed  to 
send  for  to  market  on  that  day,  and  which  must  be 
purchased  very  early.  She  rose  and  went  to  her  bureau, 
in  a  drawer  of  which  she  had  put  a  thousand  dollars  in 
gold  to  pay  tradesmen's  bills.  The  money  was  gone ! 
She  opened  the  jewel  caskets;  they  were  empty !  She 


372  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

instantly  aroused  Dr.  Rush,  who  bade  her  keep  still, 
while  he  examined  the  doors  of  the  house.  All  were 
locked ;  and  the  outer  hall  door  was  dul y  fastened.  The 
new-fallen  snow  showed  no  trace  of  footsteps.  He  went 
out  and  called  a  detective.  By  this  time  the  servants 
had  risen ;  they  were  called  together,  informed  of  the 
robbery,  and  told  they  must  submit  to  examination. 
Not  a  trace  of  the  thief  or  the  booty  could  be  found ;  not 
a  single  fact  was  elicited  whereon  to  hang  suspicion. 
The  jewels  were  valued,  it  is  said,  at  twenty-one  thou- 
sand dollars.  The  police  of  Philadelphia  did  their  best, 
but  discovered  nothing.  The  matter  created  a  great 
sensation,  and  was  the  subject  of  newspaper  comment 
in  other  cities.  The  public  insisted  on  suspecting  a 
young  man  who  had  been  a  guest  at  the  ball,  and  soon 
afterwards  had  gone  to  New  York,  and  sailed  for  Eu- 
rope. The  impression  on  the  minds  of  those  who  remem- 
ber the  occurrence  still  is  that  this  young  man  was 
guilty ;  but  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Rush  thought  otherwise.  The 
detective  had  fancied  something  suspicious  in  the  man- 
ner of  the  cook,  who  was  engaged  to  a  jeweler  in  New 
Orleans,  whom  she  afterwards  married.  Nothing  could 
be  proved  to  justify  her  arrest;  but  Mrs.  Rush  always 
thought  it  likely  that  the  woman  had  stolen  both  the 
money  and  jewels,  entering  the  chamber  at  night  or 
during  her  temporary  absence  the  day  after  the  party. 

The  summer  following  this  occurrence  Mrs.  Rush 
was  at  Saratoga,  at  the  United  States  Hotel,  unaccom- 
panied by  her  husband.  She  was  detained  by  indispo- 


MBS.   BUSH.  373 

sition  after  the  departure  of  other  guests.  A  friend 
whose  society  she  had  much  enjoyed — Mrs.  Macgregor, 
of  New  York — was  about  to  leave  Saratoga ;  but  when 
Mrs.  Rush  expressed  regret  at  her  going,  she  offered  to 
stay  with  her.  Mrs.  Rush  would  not,  however,  permit 
her  to  remain  on  her  account.  She  was  not  accustomed 
to  receive  visitors  in  her  chamber,  and  did  not  usually 
like  being  called  on  when  suffering  from  illness.  She 
spoke  with  her  friend  as  she  stood  outside  the  door,  and 
begged  that  she  would  not  stay  at  the  hotel.  Her  maid, 
she  said,  was  trusty  and  efficient ;  she  had  no  need  of 
further  care  ;  she  would  be  well  in  a  day  or  two.  The 
hotel  was  then  nearly  empty.  Mrs.  Macgregor  returned 
to  her  home  in  New  York  in  some  anxiety  about  Mrs. 
Rush,  though  not  anticipating  any  danger.  Her  com- 
plaint was  supposed  to  be  erysipelas,  followed  by  a  gen- 
eral breaking  up  of  the  system.  When  she  did  not 
regain  strength,  Dr.  Rush  was  sent  for,  and  it  was  still 
hoped  that  his  wife  would  soon  be  able  to  travel  home- 
ward. Mrs.  Macgregor  wrote  from  New  York,  inviting 
them  to  stop  and  rest  a  day  or  two  at  her  house  in  pass- 
ing through  the  city.  Dr.  Rush  answered  that  they 
intended  postponing  their  departure  from  Sa/atoga  for 
a  few  days,  to  allow  Mrs.  Rush  time  to  recruit  her 
strength  ;  but  that,  when  able  to  set  out,  she  would  pre- 
fer making  the  whole  journey  in  one  day.  It  was  but  a 
few  days  later  that  news  came  of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Rush, 
at  Saratoga,  on  the  23d  October,  1857. 

Her  remains  were  placed  in  a  coffin  and  conveyed  to 


374  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Philadelphia.  She  was  buried  according  to  instructions 
contained  in  her  last  will.  Her  death  produced  a  wide 
sensation  in  her  native  city;  saddening  the  hearts  of 
many  who  remembered  how  ready  her  sympathies  had 
.  always  been  with  true  merit,  and  how  liberally  she  had 
dispensed  her  means  for  its  advancement.  She  had  not 
yet  reached  a  very  advanced  age,  and  appeared  uninter- 
ruptedly in  society  till  the  beginning  of  Tier  last  illness. 

Mrs.  Macgregor  was  Miss  Ely,  of  Connecticut.  She 
has  been  conspicuous  for  many  years  in  New  York 
society.  Her  receptions  at  her  pleasant  home  in  Wash- 
ington Square,  are  attended  by  numerous  friends  of  the 
really  choice  and  elevated  spirits,  who  would  not  mingle 
with  such  as  had  no  claim  but  wealth  to  their  associa- 
tion. She  is  noted  for  wit  and  humor  in  impromptu 
effusions.  Some  of  her  light  sketches  have  been  pub- 
lished by  stealth. 

The  wife  of  the  great  statesman,  Daniel  "Webster, 
was  Caroline  Le  Eoy.  She  was  born  in  New  York,  and 
married  in  1829  to  Mr.  Webster,  who  was  a  widower 
with  children.  In  May,  1839,  she  went  abroad  with  her 
husband,  and  was  well  received  at  the  courts  where  they 
were  presented  ;  but  remained  only  nine  months.  They 
passed  their  winters  usually  in  Washington,  and  the 
summers  in  Marshfield,  their  country-seat  on  the  Massa- 
chusetts coast — that  beautiful  Marshfield  on  the  ocean 
shore — with  Webster's  "herds  of  noble  cattle,  his  broad 
productive  fields,  his  yachts,  his  fishing,  his  rambles  in 


MRS.    DANIEL   WEBSTER.  375 

the  forests  planted  by  his  own  hands,  his  homely  chats 
with  neighbors  and  beloved  dependents."  He  was  wont 
to  say,  "  If  I  could  have  my  own  will,  never,  never 
would  I  leave  Marshfield !"  But  he  was  led  away,  by 
the  advice  of  friends,  to  the  protracted  stay  in  "Washing- 
ton that  undermined  his  health.  Mrs.  Webster  shared 
his  wanderings,  and  was  always  a  helpmeet  to  her  dis- 
tinguished husband,  both  in  domestic  and  public  affairs. 
She  read  to  him  and  for  him,  saving  him  time  and  labor 
by  culling  and  arranging  such  facts  and  ideas  as  might 
be  useful  or  available ;  she  assisted  him  in  his  extensive 
correspondence,  and  was  relied  on  by  him  in  all  matters 
where  sound  judgment  and  discretion  were  required. 
During  his  Secretaryship,  which  began  in  President 
Tyler's  and  continued  in  Fillmore's  term,  she  was  his 
efficient  aid.  At  the  same  time  she  made  his  house  the 
center  of  a  brilliant  society,  drawing  around  them  the 
finest  spirits  of  the  century,  and  those  of  high  repute  in 
the  country's  history.  In  Boston,  Mr.  Webster's  house 
was  in  Summer  Street ;  a  noble  residence,  and  the  resort 
of  the  most  cultivated  society. 

Mrs.  Webster  accompanied  her  husband  on  his  cele- 
brated Southern  tour ;  visiting  the  principal  cities  and 
towns,  where  both  were  welcomed  with  distinguished 
honors. 

Since  her  widowhood,  Mrs.  Webster  has  for  the  most 
part  resided  in  the  city  of  New  York,  though  a  home 
was  offered  her  in  Boston,  suited  to  the  style  in  which. 
she  had  always  lived. 


376  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

Mrs.  HENRY  D.  GILPIN  is  the  widow  of  an  eminent 
man,  and  has  a  ruling  influence  in  the  society  of  Phila- 
delphia. This  is  due  nqt  more  to  her  intellectual  supe- 
riority, and  her  culture  in  the  arts  that  refine  social  life, 
than  to  her  noble  qualities  of  heart  and  true  Christian 
benevolence.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Doctor  John  Sibley, 
a  distinguished  surgeon,  who  resided  until  the  close  of 
his  life  in  Louisiana,  exercising  a  wide-spread  influence 
in  that  State.  She  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and 
received  her  education  at  the  well-known  school  of  Mr. 
Mordecai,  in  Warrenton.  Leaving  school  at  an  early 
age,  she  joined  her  father  in  Louisiana,  and  was  married 
to  the  Hon.  Josiah  S.  Johnston,  then  Judge  of  the  West- 
ern District  Court  of  the  State.  He  was  elected  to  the 
House  of  Representatives,  and  afterwards,  for  three 
terms,  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  As  an  able 
judge,  a  distinguished  statesman,  and  leading  legislator, 
his  fame  belongs  to  his  country's  history. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnston  resided  in  Washington,  and 
their  house  was  celebrated  for  its  hospitality.  It  was 
the  resort  of  the  most  distinguished  persons  in  the  Capi- 
tal, many  of  whom  continued  their  friendship  with  Mrs. 
Gilpin  through  life.  The  celebrated  Edward  Livingston 
was  not  only  an  associate  of  Senator  Johnston  in  their 
public  career,  but  a  close  and  intimate  friend ;  and  their 
friendship  was  never  interrupted.  Mrs.  Livingston,  one 
of  the  most  distinguished  ladies  of  society  in  Washing- 
ton, survived  her  husband  many  years.  Mrs.  Gilpin 


MRS.    HEXRY   D.    GILPIN.  377 

commemorated  her  talents  and  virtues  in  an  eloquent 
tribute,  full  of  truth  and  feeling. 

After  some  years  of  widowhood,  Mrs.  Johnston 
became  the  wife  of  Hon.  Henry  D.  Gilpin,  at  that  time 
United  States  Attorney  for  the  District  of  Pennsylvania. 
When  Mr.  Yan  Buren  was  elected  President  of  the 
United  States,  he  induced  his  friend,  Mr.  Gilpin,  to 
accompany  him  to  Washington  as  Solicitor  of  the  Trea- 
sury. Subsequently,  the  office  of  the  Attorney-General 
of  the  United  States  becoming  vacant,  it  was  offered  to 
and  accepted  by  him.  A  close  and  confidential  friend- 
ship existed  between  these  gentlemen,  which  continued 
without  interruption  through  life. 

Some  years  after  the  return  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gilpin 
to  Philadelphia,  they  accompanied  Mr.  Yan  Buren  and 
his  son  to  Europe.*  In  London  they  were  received  with 
marked  attention.  ,  Mr.  Gilpin  soon  became  associated 
with  the  most  distinguished  literary  men,  his  own  repu- 
tation having  preceded  him.  Numerous  "  breakfasts  " 
were  given  to  him,  where  he  met  persons  of  congenial 
tastes,  and  largely  extended  his  acquaintance.  Mr. 
Joseph  R.  Ingersoll,  so  well  known  and  honored  in 
Philadelphia,  was  at  that  time  Minister  to  England. 
By  him,  a  personal  friend,  they  were  received  with 
great  kindness,  and  through  him  were  presented  at 
Court. 

Among  their  earliest  visitors   in  London  was   Mr. 

*  A  journal  kept  by  Mrs.  Gilpin  while  abroad,  to  which  the  writer  has 
had  access,  furnishes  the  facts  mentioned  here. 


378  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

George  Peabody,  who  extended  to  them  every  courtesy 
as  friends,  and  as  visitors  to  the  great  metropolis.  Mr. 
Peabody  was  then  as  well  known  for  his  hospitalities 
to  his  countrymen  as  he  has  since  become  to  the  whole 
world  by  his  noble  acts  of  munificence. 

The  first  entertainment  given  to  Mr.  Yan  Buren  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gilpin  was  a  brilliant  assembly  at  the 
American  Minister's  ;  the  second,  a  dinner  by  Mr.  Pea- 
body.  Among  the  distinguished  guests  assembled  on  this 
occasion,  were  Mr.  Gurney,  brother  of  the  celebrated 
Mrs.  Fry,  and  his  accomplished  daughter,  Lady  Buxton, 
and  Lady  John  Somerset,  whom  they  afterwards  met  in 
society  in  London.  Subsequently  they  received  nume- 
rous invitations  to  dine  with  persons  of  distinction ; 
among  others,  from  Lord  and  Lady  Ashburton,  at  Bath 
House,  a  noble  mansion,  celebrated  for  its  fine  collection 
of  pictures  and  statuary.  Here  they  had  the  gratifica- 
tion of  meeting  many  of  the  distinguished  literary  men 
and  nobility  of  England;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Monkton 
Milnes,  Mr.  Carlyle,  Mr.  Kinglake,  author  of  Eothen, 
Mr.  Thackeray,  and  others.  From  a  large  dinner-party 
at  Mr.  Hume's  (member  of  Parliament),  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
,  Gilpin,  with  other  guests,  attended  a  ball  at  Bucking- 
•ham  Palace,  to  which,  by  command  of  the  Queen,  they 
had  had  the  honor  of  being  invited.  Among  the  hos- 
pitalities extended  to  them  were  those  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cobden,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bright,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grote,  Sir 
Charles  and  Lady  Fellows,  and  Miss  Burdett  Coutts,  the 
latter  receiving  them  at  her  beautiful  villa,  Holly  Lodge, 


MRS.   HENRY  D.    GILPIN.  379 

near  London.  One  of  the  greatest  gratifications  they 
experienced  while  in  England  was  their  visit  to  the  an- 
cestral homes  of  Mr.  Gilpin's  family,  to  Kentmere,  where 
Barnard  Gilpin,  called  "  the  Apostle  of  the  North,"  was 
born  (three  hundred  years  ago),  and  to  Scaleby  Castle,  a 
few  miles  from  the  Scottish  border,  now  occupied  by  one 
of  the  family.  After  visiting  the  most  interesting  places 
in  England  and  Scotland,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gilpin  made  an 
extensive  tour  on  the  Continent,  visiting  the  principal 
capitals,  and  seeing  every  thing  of  interest  to  strangers. 
They  passed  Holy  Week  in  Rome,  and  had  two  inter- 
views with  the  Pope  ;  the  second  by  his  own  appoint- 
ment, when  he  received  them  in  his  library. 

Among  numerous  hospitalities  offered  to  them  in 
Rome,  were  those  by  the  Prince  and  Princess  Doria 
Pamphili,  through  a  letter  of  introduction  given  to  them 
in  London  by  Lady  John  Somerset,  a  relative  of  Prin- 
cess Doria.  In  the  magnificent  Doria  Palace  they  had 
ample  opportunity  for  examining  the  galleries,  celebra- 
ted as  containing  one  of  the  richest  collections  of  Art  in 
Europe. 

From  Naples  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gilpin  embarked  for  the 
East ;  ascending  the  Nile  as  far  as  Thebes,  and  spending 
three  months  among  the  great  monuments  of  antiquity. 
From  the  top  of  the  great  pyramid  of  Cheops  they  be- 
held the  valley  of  the  Nile,  with  its  picturesque  groups 
of  camels  with  their  Arab  drivers,  and  groves  of  waving 
palm-trees.  Afterwards  they  visited  Asia  Minor,  Tur- 
key, and  Greece,  with  some  of  the  Grecian  isles.  At 


380  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Athens  they  remained  several  weeks,  where  they  were 
much  interested  in  the  Mission  Schools  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hill  and  Dr.  King.  They  there  formed  the  particular 
acquaintance  of  the  late  Earl  of  Carlisle,  with  whom  Mr. 
Gilpin  made  frequent  excursions  into  the  interior  of 
Greece.  Their  friendly  relations  were  interrupted  only 
by  death.  On  their  return  to  England  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gilpin  were  invited  by  Lord  Carlisle  to  visit  him  at 
Castle  Howard,  where  they  found  assembled  many  of 
the  distinguished  members  of  his  family ;  among  them 
his  aged  mother,  whose  death,  some  years  after,  was 
communicated  to  Mrs.  Gilpin  by  Lord  Carlisle,  in  a  let- 
ter touchingly  evincing  his  reverence  and  filial  love. 

Mrs.  Gilpin's  residence  in  Philadelphia  is  the  resort 
of  all  distinguished  strangers.  Artists  and  connoisseurs 
are  especially  welcomed,  and  find  material  for  the  grati- 
fication of  their  taste  in  the  works  of  art  collected  with 
BO  much  care  in  Europe,  which  occupy  one  floor  of  the 
dwelling.  The  library  of  Mr.  Gilpin  is,  perhaps,  the 
largest  private  collection  in  America.  It  includes  the 
best  selection  of  books  in  the  English  and  foreign  lan- 
guages, the  classical  portion  being  particularly  rich. 
This  library  was  left  by  Mr.  Gilpin  for  the  use  of  his 
wife  during  her  life,  and  bequeathed  to  the  Historical 
Society  of  Pennsylvania  at  her  death  ;  the  works  of  art 
were  left  to  the  Pennsylvania  Academy  of  the  Fine  Arts 
in  Philadelphia,  to  which  collection  Mrs.  Gilpin  has 
desired  that  the  portraits  of  Mr.  Gilpin  and  herself  shall 
be  added. 


MES.   HENEY  D.    GILPLN".  381 

Mr.  Gilpin  died  in  1860.  His  accomplished  widow 
prepared  and  printed  for  circulation  among  her  friends 
a  memorial  volume  of  his  useful  life  and  public  services, 
including  various  tributes  to  his  memory  from  eminent 
statesmen  and  scholars  at  home  and  abroad,  with  letters 
of  condolence  and  friendship  to  herself.  The  monument 
which  Mrs.  Gilpin  has  erected  to  the  memory  of  her 
husband  is  a  noble  work  of  art. 

Her  sympathy  in  the  misfortunes  of  others  induced 
Mrs.  Gilpin  to  take  a  prominent  part  in  the  great  Sani- 
tary Fair  of  Philadelphia.  She  was  appointed  chairman 
of  the  Ladies'  Art  Committee,  by  which  department  alone 
was  realized  thirty-five  thousand  dollars. 

Mrs.  Gilpin,  in  resuming  the  hospitalities  of  her 
house,  has  been  liberal  in  her  welcome  to  the  lovers  of 
art  and  literature.  Accustomed  herself  to  these  high 
and  pure  enjoyments,  she  has  sought  to  give  the  same 
pleasure  to  others.  Music  by  the  best  amateur  perform- 
ers is  always  a  marked  feature  of  her  entertainments  (as 
dancing  is  never  introduced).  Her  receptions  have  a 
more  elevated  character  than  those  of  mere  fashion. 
Her  private  charities  are  active  and  incessant,  and  she 
gives  her  personal  attention  to  many  whose  sufferings 
require  the  solace  and  friendship  of  sympathy. 


382  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY 


XIX. 

CHARLOTTE  AUGUSTA  SOUTHWICK  was  the  daughter  of 
Jonathan  Southwick,  a  successful  merchant  of  New 
York,  who  accumulated  a  large  fortune  in  business, 
though  he  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-five.  The  ancestors 
of  the  family — the  Worthingtons  and  Elys — were  promi- 
nent at  an  early  period  of  Colonial  history.  A  curious 
relic  preserved  is  a  heavy  gold  seal-ring,  antique  in 
pattern,  and  engraved  with  three  fleurs-de-lis ;  said  to 
have  been  presented  by  Charles  IX.  to  one  of  the  ances- 
tors of  the  Ely  family,  with  instructions  that  it  should 
always  be  worn  by  one  of  the  descendants  of  the  name 
of  Eobert.  It  is  still  so  held.  Kichard  Ely  came  first 
to  America  about  1660,  and  settled  at  Lyme  in  Connec- 
ticut. John  Ely  was  a  colonel  in  the  Revolutionary 
army  and  a  surgeon  of  great  celebrity.  His  military 
career  was  detailed  in  the  statement  of  the  Committee 
on  Revolutionary  Claims  to  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, in  1853.  In  1777,  he  was  commandant  of  Fort 
Trumbull,  his  regiment  having  been  raised  by  his  own 
exertions  and  at  his  own  expense  entirely  fitted  out.  His 
wife  was  Sarah  Worthington,  a  great  beauty,  and  the 
daughter  of  Rev.  William  Worthington,  brother  to 
another  colonel  of  the  American  army.  Mary,  her 


MRS.   COVENTRY  WADDELL.  383 

sister,  also  a  distinguished  beauty,  married  the  father  of 
John  Cotton  Smith,  Governor  of  Connecticut,  the  ances- 
tor of  the  eloquent  Hector  of  Ascension  Church  in  ~New 
York.  Samuel  Goodrich  ("  Peter  Parley  ")  was  a  grand- 
son of  Sarah  Worthington.  These  sisters  were  descended 
from  Hugh  Worthington,  who  held  the  Lordship  of 
Worthington  under  Edward  IY.,  in  1474.  Some  of  the 
family  afterwards  intermarried  with  the  descendants  of 
Awley  OTarrell,  remembered  as  the  last  king  of  Com- 
merene,  in  1207.  The  eldest  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
Worthington  was  Worthington  Ely,  the  grandfather  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  was  also  a  surgeon  and  a 
colonel  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  having  graduated  at 
Yale  College  in  1780.  It  is  said  that  at  the  age  of 
twenty  he  captured  two  British  officers,  and  retained 
them  as  hostages  till  he  obtained  the  release  of  his  father, 
then  in  the  enemy's  hands.  At  the  end  of  the  war, 
finding  his  resources  crippled,  he  resumed  the  medical 
practice,  and  settled  on  the  Hudson,  near  Albany.  His 
wife  was  Miss  Bushnell,  of  Connecticut.  Their  young- 
est daughter,  Lucretia,  was  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Waddell. 
At  a  very  early  age,  Miss  Southwick  was  sent  to 
Mrs.  Willard's  school  at  Troy,  where  she  went  through  a 
thorough  course  of  education.  Soon  after  leaving  school 
she  was  married  to  Mr.  McMurray,  who  lived  but  a  few 
months,  leaving  her  a  widow  at  the  age  of  eighteen.  She 
afterwards  married  Mr.  William  Coventry  Waddell. 
He  is  connected  with  noble  English  families,  being 
directly  descended  from  Lord  Daubeney,  of  the  time  of 


384  QUEEN?   OF   AMERICAN"   SOCIETY. 

Henry  VII.,  1485,*  and  from  the  earls  of  Coventry.  He 
has  kept  up  an  interesting  correspondence  with  the 
representatives  of  these  families  in  England.  Possessing 
high  literary  attainments,  Mr.  Waddell  had  held  many 
important  trusts  under  government,  and  was  at  that 
time  in  an  official  position,  and  possessed  of  wealth. 
Their  residence  was  fixed  in  New  York.  Mr.  Waddell 
built  a  splendid  mansion  at  the  corner  of  Fifth  Avenue 
and  Thirty-seventh  street.  "Murray  Hill,"  with  its 
grounds,  occupied  an  entire  block.  It  was  a  Gothic  villa, 
with  tower,  and  large  conservatory ;  the  grounds  were 
laid  out  in  walks  and  divided  by  hedges,  and  vines  were 
trained  along  the  walls.  From  the  broad  marble  hall  a 
winding  staircase  ascended  to  the  tower,  whence  a  view 
of  the  city,  the  river,  and  distant  hills  could  be  obtained. 
The  picture-gallery,  well  stored  with  valuable  paintings, 
always  attracted  the  attention  of  visitors.  In  the  wintei 
of  1845,  several  lots  had  been  put  into  a  wheat-field  by 
the  gardener,  so  remote  was  the  place  from  the  city. 
For  twelve  years  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waddell  lived  in  this 
delightful  villa,  while  the  city  gradually  approached 
nearer  to  their  home.  The  winters  were  passed  here, 
while  the  summers  were  spent  at  Saratoga,  where  the 
remarkable  beauty  of  Mrs.  Waddell,  her  graceful  man- 
ners, her  good-humor  and  winning  kindness  of  heart, 
and  the  intellectual  charms  of  her  brilliant  conversation, 


*  See  Burke's  Dormant  Peerage.  That  Lord  Daubeney  was  in  tho 
direct  line  from  William  de  Alhini(1168),  eldest  grandson  of  the  standard- 
bearer  of  William  the  Conqueror. 


MRS.    COVENTRY  WADPELL.  385 

gave  her  indisputable  supremacy  in  social  circles.  It 
was  in  her  power  to  give  happiness  to  those  around  her 
by  her  ample  means  for  promoting  enjoyment,  and  she 
took  pleasure  in  doing  so.  Her  parties  in  the  winter,  at 
u  Murray  Hill,"  were  the  admiration  of  the  New  York 
fashionables ;  and  one  might  be  always  sure  of  meeting 
there  any  really  worthy  celebrity.  When  the  frigate 
"Prince  of  Orange"  came  to  the  United  States,  Mrs. 
Waddell  gave  the  Dutch  officers  a  ball ;  and  the  decora- 
tions of  her  rooms  and  conservatory  were  magnificent. 
The  lights  in  the  tower,  seen  through  stained  windows, 
had  a  very  fine  effect.  Sir  William  Boyd,  in  his  work 
on  America,  wrote : — 

"  One  esteemed  friend  I  can  neither  omit  nor  fail  to  praise ; 
charming  in  person,  elegant  and  amiable  in  manner,  considerate 
and  kind  in  disposition,  she  honors  the  Fifth  Avenue  by  her  resi- 
dence. So  perfectly  did  her  style  of  beauty  resemble  that  of  a 
lovely  English  woman,  that,  in  the  well-bred  though  liberal  hospi- 
tality of  her  house,  an  Englishman  could  forget  that  three  thousand 
miles  separated  him  from  his  own  dear  country." 

At  Saratoga,  in  August,  1849,  she  was  thus  described 
in  papers  of  the  day : — 

"Mrs.  Waddell,  of  New  York,  was  generally  admired.  A  com- 
plexion pure  and  brilliant  as  the  roses  and  lilies  of  childhood,  large 
blue  eyes,  sparkling  with  vivacity,  and  lips  always  rosy  with  smiles, 
well  became  the  superb  dress  of  '  a  bride.'  A  veil  of  exquisite  lace 
fell  from  a  tiara  of  pearls  that  confined  her  bright  brown  ringlets; 
a  string  of  large  pearls  on  the  neck,  a  cross  of  brilliants  on  the 
bosom,  diamonds  twinkling  on  her  arms  and  amid  the  folds  of  a 
superb  lace  dress,  completed  a  costume  distinguished  for  its  costli- 
ness, its  cloud-like  purity,  and  that  exquisite  adaptation  to  the  per- 
son which  so  few  understand." 
17 


S86  QUEENS   OF    AMERICAN    SOCIETY. 

One  morning,  at  Saratoga,  she  came  late  to  the 
breakfast-table,  where  Washington  Irving  and  J.  F 
Kennedy  were  seated.  "Here  comes  Aurora!"  said 
Mr.  Irving,  gayly.  Mrs.  Waddell  asked  him  if  he 
spelled  it  with  an  "  A,"  or  an  "E."  He  laughed  hearti- 
ly ;  and  said  her  question  was  the  best  joke  he  had  heard 
iu  a  long  time. 

A  visitor  wrote  : — 

"  On  Thursday,  the  ball  of  the  season  took  place  at  Mrs.  Wad- 
dell's  Gothic  villa  on  Murray  Hill,  Fifth  Avenue.  The  beauty  of 
the  house,  its  corridors  and  halls,  its  towers  and  oriels,  gave  an 
attraction  with  which  other  establishments  cannot  vie ;  while  the 
affability  of  the  fair  hostess,  and  the  occasion — the  debut  in  society 
of  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Waddell — added  to  the  interest.  We  noted 
a  greater  array  of  city  fashionables  than  we  have  seen  gathered 
together  this  season ;  and,  as  is  usual  at  this  lady's  parties,  every 
one  appeared  to  enjoy  it.  The  beautiful  conservatory  was  thrown 
open,  and  the  flowers,  the  bay-windows,  the  winding  stair-way 
through  the  towers,  the  oriels,  the  corbels,  the  tapestries,  the  music, 
the  ball,  the  supper,  the  fair  hostess,  and  the  concourse  of  gallant 
knights,  could  not  well  be  surpassed.  There  were  about  five  hun- 
dred present.  Mr.  Brown  the  guard's  arrangements  were  excellent, 
especially  the  fine  large  tent  he  erected  to  keep  off  the  night  air 
between  the  carriage- drive  and  the  hall-door." 

At  a  masquerade  ball,  given  in  College  Place,  by 
Mrs.  John  C.  Stevens — 

"Mrs.  Waddell  wore,  in  the  early  part  of  the  evening,  a  black 
mask  p.nd  domino;  afterwards,  white  satin  trimmed  with  rich  black 
lace,  with  corsage  of  diamonds,  and  flowers  in  her  hair.  This  lady, 
from  her  agreeable  and  affable  manners,  commanded  much  atten- 
tion, and  received  the  flattering  encomiums  of  a  large  circle  of  ad- 
mirers. Mrs.  Waddell,  at  her  villa,  'took  up'  the  ~bal  poudre  of 
Mrs.  Stevens,  when  that  lady  was  compelled  to  relinquish  it  at. her 
residence,  in  consequence  of  a  death  in  her  family.  At  Mrs.  Scher- 


MRS.   COVENTRY  WADDELL.  387 

merhorn's  ~bal  costume  de  rigueur  of  the  reign  of  Louis  XV.,  a  jour- 
nal reported  Mrs.  Waddell's  dress  as  Marie  Antoinette,  'crimson 
moire  antique,  jupe  flowered  with  point-lace.  The  Louis  Quinze 
brocade  trimmed  with  point-lace ;  the  corsage  ornamented  wit! 
diamonds,  and  rose  de  Chine  ribbon,  fluted ;  powdered  head, 
wreathed  with  diamonds.'  " 

Tributes  of  a  higher  kind  were  not  wanting  to  this 
accomplished  lady,  as  the  following  letter  will  show.  It 
was  elicited  by  Mrs.  Waddell'§  sending  a  basket  of  fruit 
from  her  conservatories  to  the  distinguished  author : — 

"UNITED  STATES  HOTEL,  SARATOGA,  August  2, 1853. 

"My  DEAR  MRS  WADDELL: — 

"Had  it  pleased  the  gods  to  make  me  poetical,  what  a  choice 
copy  of  verses  your  most  dainty  present  would  have  inspired !  I 
should  have  wrought  out  some  capital  similitudes  to  yourself  in 
the  choice  fruits  of  which  it  consisted.  I  should  have  made  some- 
thing of  the  peach  with  its  damask  cheek  and  nectared  sweetness ; 
of  the  grape,  with  its  potent  power  to  lead  the  senses  captive,  and 
'make  glad  the  heart  of  man.'  But  having  no  gift  of  weaving 
immortal  verse,  I  can  only  make  my  acknowledgments  of  your 
kindness  in  humbler  prose,  which  is  the  more  sincere  for  not  being 
labored  into  rhyme  or  turned  into  couplets. 
"  Believe  me,  very  truly, 

"Your  obliged  and  admiring  friend, 

""WASHINGTON  IBVING. 
"MRS.  COVENTRY  WADDELL." 

Here  is  a  fragment  from  one  of  many  tributary 
poems : — 

"  Let  Dryden  sing  divine  Cecilia's  days, 

And  Alexander's  Feast  in  verse  be  sounded; 
Be  mine  a  greater  glory  still  to  praise 

The  queen  whose  conquests  yet  no  world  hath  bounded. 
He  wept  for  worlds  to  conquer ;  thou  beguilest 

Realms  which  he  never  knew,  thy  sway  to  greet; 
He  wept  for  other  conquests ;  thou  but  smilest, 

And  all  the  world  lies  vanquished  at  thy  feet." 


388  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

The  following  is  another  specimen : — 

"CLAEENDON,  Friday,  January  28th. 

"  DEAR  MADAM  : — 

"My  friend,  Mr.  ,  who  has  just  returned  from  London 

(where  he  was  your  Secretary  of  Legation,  and  danced  in  a  most 
distinguished  manner  at  our  court  and  other  balls),  ought  surely  to 
see  a  beautiful  ball  at  New  York,  and  I  shall  be  very  thankful  if 
you  will  favor  me  with  a  card  for  him.  I  am  so  glad  that  I  shall 
be  in  New  York  on  the  night  of  your  party,  and  that  you  kindly 
remembered  that  I  wanted  to  see  it. 

"  Believe  me  very  faithfully  yours, 

"W.  M.  THACKEKAY." 

Mr.  Thackeray  first  saw  Mrs.  Waddell  at  a  party, 
and  as  she  came  into  the  room  exclaimed,  "  Who  is  that 
lady !"  expressing  astonishment  at  her  beauty.  After 
his  introduction,  while  looking  at  some  paintings,  he 
remarked  to  Mrs.  Waddell :  "  You  should  have  sat  to 
Sir  Peter."  She  replied  that  she  did  not  admire  Sir 
Peter  Lely's  pictures.  Thackeray  pretended,  laughingly, 
that  he  had  meant  Rubens.  A  few  days  afterwards, 
while  walking  with  Mrs.  Waddell  through  her  gallery, 
he  remarked :  "  I  still  think,  Mrs,  Waddell,  you  should 
have  sat  to  Sir  Peter.  None  of  these  do  you  justice." 
Thackeray,  during  his  stay  in  the  United  States,  became 
a  frequent  visitor  and  a  warm  friend  of  Mrs.  Waddell. 

Her  playful  wit  was  sometimes  exercised  in  reprov- 
ing ill-breeding,  but  in  a  kindly  way.  A  bigoted  Eng- 
lish nobleman,  well  known  in  fashionable  circles  (as 
something  of  a  bore),  who  detested  every  thing  Ameri- 
can, and  ridiculed  the  celebration  of  the  Fourth  of  July, 


MRS.   COVENTRY  WADDELL.  389 

was  kept  firing  off  rockets  on  that  anniversary  till  he 
was  tired  out,  by  his  fair  hostess. 

In  the  monetary  crisis  of  1857,  Mr.  "Waddell  lost  a 
splendid  fortune.  His  reverses  compelled  him  to  sacri- 
fice his  home  on  Murray  Hill ;  the  house,  grounds,  and 
•furniture  were  sold,  and  the  march  of  "improvement" 
has  now  effaced  every  trace  of  the  once  beautiful  villa ; 
covering  the  site  with  stately  brown  stone  houses.  Mrs. 
Waddell  submitted  cheerfully  to  this  change,  and  smiled 
as  she  read  the  notes  of  sympathy  and  regret  sent  by  her 
neighbors.  In  Charles  O'Conor's  words:  "In  bending 
so  gracefully  and  cheerfully  to  adverse  circumstances, 
she  won  more  laurels  than  were  gained  in  prosperity." 
When,  after  removing  from  the  house,  she  took  posses- 
sion of  her  rooms  at  the  St.  Denis  Hotel,  she  found  them 
filled  with  bouquets  and  baskets  of  flowers;  welcome 
offerings,  as  delicate  expressions  of  kindly  feeling  from 
those  who  had  known  her  in  the  sunshine  of  affluence. 
After  a  few  months,  she  retired  to  a  country  home  upon 
the  Hudson,  two  miles  north  of  Newburgh.  A  tourist 
thus  describes  it : — 

"A  large  stone  mansion,  wreathed  with  ivy,  stands  on  an  ele- 
vation overlooking  the  majestic  landscape.  It  is  the  residence  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waddell.  Her  exquisite  taste  has  already  beautified 
the  place,  supplied  by  nature  with  every  requisite  for  adornment; 
and  her  cheerful  spirit  makes  it  a  paradise  indeed.  Those  who 
visit  her  in  her  rural  home  will  find  her  as  charming  as  in  her 
princely  suburban  residence.  The  pearly  freshness  and  delicate 
rose-tint  of  her  complexion,  and  the  luxuriance  of  her  rich  brown 
curls,  have  not  been  impaired  by  the  air  of  the  Highlands;  while 
the  ease  and  grace  imparted  by  perfect  culture,  mental  accomplish- 


390  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

ments,  and  familiarity  with  the  best  society,  are  hlended  with  the 
most  winning  frankness  and  elastic  gayety  of  spirits,  and  with  a 
genuine  cordiality  which,  emanating  from  true  kindness  of  heart, 
cannot  fail  of  the  response  of  heartfelt  admiration  and  regard." 

After  living  a  few  years  among  the  mountains,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Waddell  returned  to  the  city  of  New  York ; 
but  her  taste  for  flowers  and  fresh  rural  scenery  could 
not  be  satisfied  without  a  suburban  residence.  A  neat 
ornamental  one  has  been  built,  under  her  directions,  at 
"  West  End,"  on  the  (proposed)  grand  Boulevard  drive 
in  course  of  being  laid  out  by  the  Central  Park  Commis- 
sioners upon  the  northern  part  of  Manhattan  Island,  a 
short  distance  above  the  unrivaled  "  Central  Park." 

Mary  Wharton  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  and  .be- 
came a  celebrated  belle  in  that  city,  being  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  women  in  America.  She  was  married 
when  very  young  to  James  S.  Wadsworth,  who  became 
a  distinguished  general  in  the  Union  army,  and  lost  his 
life  in  the  service  of  his  country.  He  was  the  son  of 
James  Wadsworth,  and  the  nephew  of  the  bachelor, 
General  Wadsworth,  who  was  conspicuous  in  the  war  of 
1812.  Mrs.  Wadsworth  went  with  her  husband  to  Eu- 
rope for  a  bridal  trip,  and  remained  abroad  nearly  a 
year.  Their  home  was  then  in  Geneseo,  New  York, 
where  the  summers  were  spent ;  the  winters  being 
passed  in  different  cities.  During  a  few  years  they 
retained  a  house  in  New  York ;  afterwards  in  Philadel- 
phia. Mrs.  Wadsworth  had  six  children.  Her  daugh- 
ter Cornelia  married  Montgomery  Bitchie,  a  grandson 


MISS   EMILIE   SCHAUMBURG.  391 

of  the  elder  Harrison  Gray  Otis.  She  was  noted  as  a 
belle  in  New  York,  of  a  brilliant  and  stylish  beauty; 
with  dark  hair  and  large,  full  dark  eyes.  She  lived  in 
Geneseo  with  her  parents  during  Mr.  Ritchie's  life ;  in 
the  widowhood  of  her  mother  passing  most  of  her  time 
with  her.  After  her  husband's  death,  Mrs.  Eitchie  went 
to  England,  and  resides  in  London.  Mrs.  Wadsworth 
lives  in  Philadelphia,  but  spends  her  summers  at  her 
favorite  country  home.  Her  sister-in-law  was  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Wadsworth,  who  married  Hon.  Charles  Augustus 
Murray,  and  died  in  Egypt. 


Miss  Emilie  Schaumburg  is  a  Philadelphia  celebrity 
in  society,  who  has  added  the  fascinations  of  rare  skill  in 
vocal  music,  and  still  rarer  powers  of  dramatic  expres- 
sion as  an  amateur  comedienne,  to  the  attraction  of 
great  beauty.  Her  grandfather,  Colonel  Bartholomew 
Schaumburg,  of  New  Orleans,  was  a  ward  of  the  Land- 
grave of  Hesse  Cassel,  and  closely  connected  with  him. 
Educated  under  the  auspices  of  Frederick  the  Great,  at 
the  German  Military  School,  he  was  commissioned  an 
officer  in  the  Grenadier  Guards,  and  at  the  time  of  the 
American  Revolution  was  sent  to  this  country  as  adju- 
tant and  aid-de-camp  to  General  Count  Donop,  who,  in 
conjunction  with  General  Kniphausen,  commanded  the 
German  forces  subsidized  to  England.  Colonel  Schaum- 
burg never  joined  Count  Donop,  however ;  for  the  trans- 
port ship  upon  which  he  and  other  officers  and  soldiers 


392  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

had  embarked,  became  separated  from  the  fleet  in  a 
storm,  off  the  American  coast,  and  came  up  the  Dela- 
ware, anchoring  at  Newcastle,  where  they  learned  from 
the  people  the  nature  of  their  struggle  for  independence, 
and  that  General  Washington  was  at  no  great  distance, 
on  the  Brandywine,  daily  expecting  an  attack  from  the 
British  forces  under  Cornwallis.  Preferring  to  fight  for 
an  oppressed  people  rather  than  for  England,  with  whom 
they  had  no  sympathy,  they  determined  to  join  him, 
which  they  did,  and  were  incorporated  into  General 
Sullivan's  German  Legion,  serving  under  General  Wash- 
ington throughout  the  Revolutionary  War.  Colonel 
Schaumburg  also  served  with  great  gallantry  through 
all  the  early  Indian  wars,  under  Generals  Wayne  and 
Sinclair,  and  afterwards  held  the  rank  of  Deputy 
Quartermaster-General  during  the  war  of  1812.  The 
site  of  Cincinnati  was  chosen  under  his  direction  ;  and, 
as  an  accomplished  artillerist,  he  superintended  the  cast 
ing  of  the  first  cannon  ever  made  in  the  United  States. 
Colonel  Schaumburg  had  sacrificed  his  title  and  much 
of  his  property  by  espousing  the  American  cause,  but 
some  years  later  he  was  earnestly  solicited  by  his  rela- 
tives to  return  to  Germany,  which  he  unhesitatingly 
refused  to  do.  He  married  a  lady  who  was  a  lineal 
descendant  of  the  principal  Indian  chief  or  king  Secane, 
of  the  Leanape  tribe,  who  signed  the  treaty  of  1685  with 
William  Penn,  selling  him  the  large  tract  of  land  in 
which  Philadelphia  is  situated.  Su-sa-he-na,  his  daugh- 
ter, had  been  married  to  Dr.  Thomas  Holme  McFarlane, 


MISS  EMILIE   SCHAUMBURG.  393 

a  nephew  of  Thomas  Holme,  the  first  Surveyor-General 
of  Pennsylvania.  Miss  Schamnburg  is  the  eighth  re- 
move, in  a  direct  line,  from  this  aboriginal  princess,  and 
was  born  in  New  Orleans,  although  she  has  always  re- 
sided in  Philadelphia.  From  childhood,  her  great 
musical  talent  was  evident,  united  to  a  voice  of  uncom- 
mon power,  purity,  and  sweetness.  Its  natural  ad  van 
tages  have  been  fully  developed  by  the  late  Signor 
Perelli,  who  considered  her  his  most  brilliant  scholar ; 
and  she  combines  the  finest  dramatic  appreciation  with 
the  most  remarkable  compass  and  execution.  The 
"soirees"  musicales  at  her  residence  gather  together  all 
that  Philadelphia  society  affords  of  most  elegant  and 
most  accomplished.  The  earlier  portion  of  her  educa- 
tion was  chiefly  directed  by  the  late  Hon.  II.  D.  Gilpin, 
one  of  the  most  elegant  scholars  of  America ;  and  she 
has  had  all  the  advantages  in  cultivation  which  his  mag- 
nificent library  can  afford.  She  has  added  the  accom- 
plishment of  speaking  several  modern  languages.  She 
has  also  a  graceful  gift  of  versification,  frequently, 
though  unpretendingly,  exercised  for  the  entertainment 
of  her  immediate  circle. 

Miss  Schaumburg's  appearance  in  the  first  social 
circles  was  followed  by  general  admiration.  "When  the 
Prince  of  Wales  with  his  suite  visited  Philadelphia,  he 
spent  the  only  evening  of  his  stay  at  the  Academy  of 
Music.  He  saw  Miss  Schaumburg  in  another  box,  and 
his  attention  was  at  once  attracted  by  her  beauty.  She 

was  dressed  with  simplicity,  in  white,  with  gold  orna- 
17* 


394  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

ments  in  her  hair.  The  lorgnettes  of  the  royal  party 
were  turned  in  her  direction  long  enough  to  show  the 
whole  house  the  object  of  their  admiration.  The  Prince 
declared  her  "  the  most  beautiful  woman  he  had  seen  in 
America." 

Her  great  dramatic  talent  was  first  developed  during 
the  patriotic  exertions  made  for  the  Sanitary  Fair.  A 
number  of  gifted  and  energetic  ladies  and  gentlemen  fit- 
ted up  a  little  private  theater,  to  hold  about  three  hundred 
persons,  the  performers  to  be  all  amateurs,  selected  from 
among  the  elite  of  Philadelphia  society,  and  the  proceeds 
to  be  devoted  exclusively  to  the  wounded  soldiers.  The 
enterprise  was  eminently  successful  in  a  financial  view ; 
and  it  also  proved  Philadelphia  unsurpassed  in  the  pos- 
session of  amateur  talent.  Many  plays  were  brought 
out,  but  "  The  Ladies'  Ba'ttle,"  in  which  Miss  Schaum- 
burg  sustained  the  principal  role  of  the  "  Countess,"  took 
society  by  storm.  Those  who  witnessed  that  exquisite 
rendition,  combining  the  most  perfect  grace  and  high- 
bred elegance  with  the  most  delicate  shades  of  emotion, 
remember  it  as  a  piece  of  acting  unrivaled  on  the  Ameri- 
can stage.  A  year  or  two  later,  the  comedy  of  "  Masks 
and  Faces"  was  produced  by  the  same  association,  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Chicago  Fair,  under  the  immediate 
supervision  of  Mrs.  Aubrey  H.  Smith,  a  daughter  of 
Judge  G-rier,  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  a  lady  noted  for 
her  vivacity,  energy,  and  spirit.  Miss  Schaurnburg  sus- 
tained in  this  the  great  role  of  "  Peg  Woffington,"  and 
again  created  a  furore.  It  seemed  difficult,  indeed,  to 


MISS.   EMILIE   SCHAUMBUKG.  395 

decide  in  which  she  most  excelled — the  dash  and  bril 
liancy,  or  the  pathos  and  emotion  of  the  impulsive, 
warm-hearted,  and  fascinating  Peg ;  whilst  her  Irish 
"jig"  was  inimitable  in  its  spirit,  lightness,  and  grace. 
The  play  altogether  was  so  superbly  put  upon  the  stage 
of  the  little  theater,  or  "  Amateur  Drawing-room,"  as  it 
is  called,  and  so  admirably  rendered  in  each  of  its  parts, 
by  gentlemen  and  ladies  of  cultivation,  that  to  those 
who  witnessed  it,  all  professional  performances  of  it  since 
have  suffered  by  comparison.  A  melodrama,  called 
"The  Wife's  Secret" — in  which  Miss  Schaumburg  sus- 
tained the  role  of  "Lady  Evelyn" — was  afterwards  pro- 
duced, with  great  eclat,  at  the  "  Drawing-room,"  for 
charitable  purposes.  In  this — probably  the  most  trying 
role  ever  attempted  by  any  lady  amateur — Miss  Schaum- 
burg achieved  fresh  laurels.  Madame  Eistori,  who  was 
then  in  Philadelphia,  and  who  witnessed  one  of  the  per- 
formances, expressed  herself  surprised  and  delighted  at 
the  genius  of  the  brilliant  amateur.  So  remarkable  a 
talent  should  be  frequently  exerted  in  the  noble  cause 
of  charity ;  and  as  it  is  becoming  more  and  more  the 
fashion  for  ladies  in  private  life  to  exercise  their  gifts  for 
the  benefit  of  the  poor,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  Miss 
Schaumburg  may  be  induced  to  contribute  her  aid  to 
them  in  other  cities  than  her  own. 


896  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 


XX. 

"  THE  most  charming  woman  in  the  world." 
The  phrase  has  often  been  carelessly  used,  under  a 
fleeting  impression.  But  when  deliberately  and  uni- 
versally applied  to  one  person  by  all  who  know  her,  it 
acquires  a  significance  deeper  than  common.  Madame 
Le  Vert  is  perhaps  the  only  woman  who  has  reigned  as 
a  belle  in  both  hemispheres, — has  received  the  homage  of 
chivalrous  admiration,  alike  in  the  Northern  and  South- 
ern sections  of  the  United  States,  as  well  as  in  the  courtly 
circles  of  Great  Britain  and  Continental  Europe,  and 
who,  at  the  same  time,  has  never  been  assailed  by  the 
shafts  of  envy  or  calumny.  She  has  had  a  remarkable 
experience  in  wearing  the  crown  of  beauty  and  genius, 
— that  it  has  been  without  a  thorn.  Such  an  anomaly 
argues  an  uncommon  character.  To  receive  tributes 
from  the  lowly  and  the  exalted,  the  humble  and  the 
gifted,  the  obscure  and  the  brilliant,  all  breathing  the 
same  heart-incense,  is  something  remarkable.  Calhoun 
called  her  "the  gifted  daughter  of  the  South."  Irving 
said  of  her :  "  She  is  such  a  woman  as  occurs  but  once  in 
the  course  of  an  empire."  Another  eminent  author  said : 
"There  is  but  one  such  in  America."  Miss  Bremer 


MADAME   LE  VERT.  397 

named  her  "her  Magnolia  Flower  of  the  South,"  and 
"  Sweet  Rose  of  Florida."  A  distinguished  writer  said  : 
"  I  defy  any  one  to  spend  an  hour  in  her  company  with- 
out rising  up  a  wiser  and  better  man,  having  a  sense  of 
musical  joyance  in  his  heart,  because  of  her  words."  La- 
martine  said  to  her :  "  You  can  fill  with  pleasure  the 
hearts  of  your  nation  by  describing  what  you  have  seen 
to  them,  as  you  are  now  delighting  me."  She  is  more 
widely  known  as  a  "social  genius"  than  any  American 
woman ;  for  her  fame  has  spread  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  Pacific,  and  in  various  countries  beyond  the  seas. 
A  key  to  this  extraordinary  popularity  may  be  found  in 
the  observation  of  a  little  child,  who  whispered,  after 
sitting  by  her,  "  She  isn't  a  fine  lady  at  all ;  she  is  just 
like  me  /  and  I  love  her."  This  is  her  specific  charm ; 
the  spirit  of  love  that  goes  out  from  a  great  and  good 
heart,  and  meets  everywhere  response  and  recognition. 
The  adulation  received  from  every  quarter  could  not 
mar  a  nature  so  gifted  with  good  sense,  simplicity,  and 
earnestness.  Living  in  the  sunshine  of  fashionable  life, 
and  distinguished  by  the  smiles  of  the  fickle  goddess,  she 
never  lost  her  tender  humanity ;  always  proving  herself 
as  genial  as  gay,  as  sweet  and  courteous  as  brilliant;  as 
true  and  appreciative  as  fascinating.  She  was  always 
"  a  social  harmonizer."  Her  sunny  spirit  was  like  a 
stream 

"  In  whose  calm  depths  the  beautiful  and  pure 
Alone  are  mirrored.'1 

"She  was  made  without  antipathies,"  says  one  of  her 


398  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

friends.  "  She  receives,  as  it  were  by  intuition,  the  idea 
of  the  ancient  Greeks,  that  the  whole  universe  is  a 
'Kosmos'  of  beauty  and  order."  The  world  has  smiled 
on  her,  because  she  was  gracious  to  the  world,  and  she 
has  faith  in  the  goodness  of  human  nature.  She  has 
never,  it  is  said,  uttered  or  admitted  an  ill-natured  sug- 
gestion, and  never  tolerated  uncharitableness  or  scandal. 
Once,  when  the  beauty  of  her  feet  was  mentioned,  Henry 
Clay  remarked,  with  feeling,  "  She  has  a  tongue  that 
never  spoke  an  evil  word  of  any  one."  Her  womanly 
sympathies,  too,  have  remained  keen  and  warm  amid  all 
the  splendors  of  worldly  distinction.  "  The  belle  of  the 
Union,"  never  weary  of  doing  good,  could  preside  at  the 
bedside  of  suffering,  as  well  as  in  the  fashionable  draw- 
ing-room. Her  feelings  were  never  deadened  by  associa- 
tion with  the  gay.  The  blessings  of  the  poor  and  grief- 
laden  followed  her.  Shortly  after  her  return  from 
Europe,  when  her  society  was  in  great  demand,  hearing 
that  a  neighbor  was  ill,  she  came  and  spent  the  after- 
noon with  her,  while  her  own  house  was  crowded  with 
company;  afterwards  sending  her  carriage  and  taking 
the  patient  to  her  own  house.  "When  the  pestilence 
raged  in  Savannah,  and  nurses  were  sent  for  to  Mobile, 
she  was  the  first  to  volunteer  her  services. 

General  George  Walton,  her  grandfather,  a  signer 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  in  early  life  resided 
in  Prince  Edward  County,  Virginia.  He  removed  to 
Georgia  before  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  in  which  he 
took  part,  being  wounded  in  leading  a  regiment  at  the 


MADAME   LE  VERT.  399 

siege  of  Savannah.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  Con- 
gress, and  was  afterwards  Governor  of  Georgia  and 
Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court.  His  wife  was  Miss  Cam- 
ber, the  daughter  of  an  English  nobleman,  to  whom  the 
crown  had  granted  large  estates  in  the  colony.  This 
lady  chose  to  remain  with  her  husband  in  the  conflict, 
and  suffered  for  her  devotion,  being  taken  prisoner  and 
sent  for  a  time  to  the  West  Indies.  Letters  of  Wash- 
ington, La  Fayette,  Adams,  and  Jefferson  to  General 
Walton  are  still  preserved,  and  testify  to  their  high 
appreciation  of  his  character.  He  died  in  1808,  at  his 
country-seat  near  Augusta.  In  the  principal  street  of 
that  town  is  a  granite  monument,  erected  by  the  State 
in  memory  of  him.  He  left  two  children.  One  of  them, 
the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  millionaire 
when  he  married  Miss  Walker,  the  daughter  of  an  emi- 
nent lawyer  of  Georgia,  and  a  woman  of  brilliant  accom- 
plishments and  large  fortune.  In  1821,  Colonel  Walton 
was  appointed  Secretary  of  State  under  General  Jack- 
son, the  governor  of  Florida,  whom  he  succeeded  in 
office.  Afterwards  he  was  chosen  to  the  legislature,  and 
in  1835  he  removed  to  Mobile,  Alabama,  where  he  was 
mayor,  and  filled  other  important  offices.  His  fortune 
was  lost  by  becoming  security  for  friends;  and  large 
manufactories  and  houses,  in  Augusta,  now  occupy  his 
lands. 

Octavia  was  born  at  "Belle  Vue,"  near  Augusta, 
but  when  very  young  was  taken  to  Pensacola,  where  her 
first  recollections  "  were  of  the  orange  and  live  oak  trees 


400  QUEENS  OF  AMEEICAN  SOCIETY. 

shading  the  broad  veranda ;  of  the  fragrant  acacia, 
oleander,  and  cape  jessamines  which  filled  the  parterre 
sloping  down  to  the  sea-beach ;  of  merry  races  with  her 
brother  along  the  white  sands,  while  the  creamy  waves 
broke  over  her  feet,  and  the  delicious  breeze  from  the 
Gulf  played  in  her  hair ;  of  the  pet  mocking-birds  in  the 
giant  oak  by  her  window,  whose  songs  called  her  each 
morning  from  dream-land."* 

Pensacola,  on  its  bay,  was  the  rendezvous  of  United 
States  vessels  of  the  Gulf  station.  When  they  returned 
from  their  cruises,  balls  and  parties  were  given  in  honor 
of  the  officers  at  the  Governor's  house,  and  entertain- 
ments on  board  the  ships ;  there  were  moonlight  excur- 
sions on  the  bay,  and  picnics  in  the  magnolia  groves. 
Thus  the  little  Octavia  became  early  familiar  with  so- 
ciety. Her  father  took  great  pains  with  her  education. 
Before  she  was  twelve  years  old  she  could  write  and 
converse  in  three  languages,  and  often  the  Colonel  took 
her  into  his  office,  to  translate  from  the  French  or  Spa- 
nish, letters  connected  with  important  affairs  of  State. 
Perched  on  a  high  stool,  the  little  girl  interpreted  her 
foreign  dispatches  with  great  exactness.  The  Governor, 
who  had  located  the  seat  of  government  in  Florida,  per- 
mitted his  daughter  to  give  it  a  name ;  which  she  did  in 
kindness  to  the  Seminole  king,  who  struck  his  tent-pole 
there.  She  called  the  place  "  Tallahassee,"  signifying 
"  beautiful  land."  The  Indians  were  often  indebted  to 

*  See  Miss  Forrest's  "  Women  of  the  South." 


MADAME   LE  VERT.  401 

the  young  girl's  intercession,  and  named  her  "  The  white 
dove  of  peace." 

When  La  Fayette  visited  the  Southern  States,  he 
wrote  to  Octavia's  grandmother,  requesting  her  to  meet 
him  in  Mobile ;  but  on  account  of  infirm  health  she  sent 
the  little  girl  in  her  stead,  to  welcome  the  illustrious 
Frenchman.  She  was  presented,  with  her  mother,  and 
handed  her  grandfather's  miniature  to  La  Fayette. 
Gazing  upon  it,  the  veteran  shed  tears,  snatched  the 
child  to  his  breast,  and  exclaimed :  "  The  living  image 
of  my  brave  and  noble  friend  1"  Octavia  sat  on  his  knee 
during  a  long  interview,  and  talked  in  French.  La 
Fayette  solemnly  blessed  her  at  their  parting.  "  A  truly 
wonderful  child !"  he  said.  "  I  predict  for  her  a  brilliant 
career !" 

Octavia  never  went  to  school ;  being  taught  by  pri- 
vate tutors  in  all  branches  in  which  she  did  not  receive 
instruction  from  her  mother  and  grandmother.  She  and 
her  brother  were  for  years  the  pupils  of  an  old  Scotch- 
man, a  fine  classic  scholar  and  linguist,  who  had  lived  in 
the  family  since  their  birth.  This  careful  instruction, 
with  her  indefatigable  industry,  gave  the  young  girl  that 
extraordinary  proficiency  in  classical  and  scientific 
studies,  as  well  as  music,  and  in  the  modern  languages, 
which  so  distinguished  her.  "  She  can  speak  five  lan- 
guages well,"  exclaimed  a  French  gentleman,  in  rap- 
ture ;  "  I  have  heard  her  converse  at  the  same  time  with 
a  Spaniard,  a  German,  and  a  Frenchman,  holding  lively 
conversation  with  each  in  his  own  tongue,  with  remark- 


402  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

able  precision  of  pronunciation  and  elegance  of  phraseol- 
ogy." In  Italian  she  was  equally  fluent.  In  all,  said 
Dr.  Nichols,  "  Full  of  spirit  and  vivacity,  she  was  simple 
as  a  child  and  charming  as  a  fairy ;  she  seemed  like  a 
choice  goblet  of  sparkling  champagne  wine,  surrounded 
by  roses." 

Soon  after  the  removal  of  the  family  to  Mobile, 
Octavia,  with  her  mother  and  brother,  made  the  tour  of 
the  United  States.  This  was  the  commencement  of  her 
bright  career.  The  name  of  Miss  Octavia  Walton  be- 
came familiar  to  the  fashionable  world  as  "  the  belle  of 
Saratoga."  Her  wonderful  colloquial  powers,  her  tact 
in  bringing  out  the  best  qualities  of  all  within  her  influ- 
ence, and  the  light  and  warmth  diffused  by  her  sunny 
temper,  joined  to  an  indescribable  faculty  of  captivating 
hearts,  won  her  a  popularity  shown  by  innumerable 
tributes  from  poets  and  from  grave  critics.  In  one  of 
her  journeys  by  stage,  her  party  formed  the  acquaint- 
ance of  a  middle-aged  gentleman  who  had  traveled 
much,  and  possessed  a  large  fund  of  humor  and  anec- 
dote. Elegant  in  manners,  cultivated  in  taste,  gifted  in 
conversation — who  could  the  distinguished  stranger  be  ? 
When  Octavia  was  talking  to  her  brother  in  Spanish  he 
joined  in  the  discourse,  and  described  a  bull-fight,  dwell- 
ing particularly  on  a  singular  incident.  This  Octavia 
had  heard  before,  and  it  was  a  clue  to  discovery.  "  You 
are  Washington  Irving !"  she  exclaimed.  The  gentle- 
man who  had  related  the  incident  to  her  had  said  Wash- 
ington Irving  stood  by  him  when  it  happened.  Thus 


MADAME   LE  VERT.  403 

commenced  a  friendship  which  continued  till  Irving's 
death.  A  correspondence  was  kept  up,  and  Madame 
Le  Yert  was  a  cherished  guest  at  Sunnyside.  When 
they  parted,  the  last  time  she  saw  Irving,  he  said  to  her, 
"  I  feel  as  if  the  sunshine  were  all  going  away  with  you, 
my  child."  She  kept  a  journal,  at  his  advice,  and 
chronicled  therein  her  impressions  of  Washington, 
which  she  visited  during  Jackson's  administration ;  es- 
pecially reports  of  the  speeches  of  Calhoun,  Webster, 
and  her  warm  friend  Mr.  Clay. 

Miss  Walton's  marriage  with  Dr.  Henry  Le  Yert,  of 
Mobile,  took  place  in  1836.  He  was  the  son  of  Dr. 
Claude  Le  Yert,  who  came  with  La  Fayette  to  the 
United  States,  as  fleet-surgeon  under  Eochambeau,  and 
after  peace  settled  in  Yirginia.  It  is  a  curious  fact  that 
it  was  in  honor  of  his  wife's  uncle,  Admiral  Yernon,  that 
Lawrence  Washington,  who  had  served  under  him  in 
South  America,  named  his  country-seat  "Mount  Yer- 
non." 

Dr.  Le  Yert  was  a  leading  physician  in  Mobile,  and 
was  not  averse  to  as  much  society  as  pleased  his  accom- 
plished wife.  When  he  proposed  building  a  house,  she 
stipulated  only  for  a  library.  This  she  filled  with  choice 
books  and  works  of  art.  The  house  was  in  Government 
Street — the  most  pleasant  in  Mobile — and  had  beautiful 
grounds  in  the  heart  of  the  city. 

It  was  in  1849  that  her  first  sorrow  clouded  Madame 
Le  Yert's  life,  in  the  death  of  her  only  brother  and  two 
lovelv  children.  These  misfortunes  were  the  more  keen- 


404  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

ly  felt  for  her  previous  unbroken  happiness.  It  was 
shortly  after  these  afflictions  that  Lady  Emmeline  Stuart 
Wortley,  the  daughter  of  the  Duke  of  Rutland,  came  to 
Mobile.  She,  too,  was  a  mourner  for  her  noble  husband 
and  child ;  and  at  the  very  commencement  of  her  ac- 
quaintance with  Madame  Le  Yert,  a  tender  and  holy 
sympathy  bound  together  the  hearts  of  the  two  stricken 
mothers.  Lady  Emmeline  remained  some  weeks  the 
guest  of  Madame  Le  Yert;  and  the  friendship  thus 
formed  continued  unchanged  till  Lady  Emmeline's 
death.  She  was  the  faithful  correspondent  and  devoted 
friend  of  Madame  Le  Yert,  who  at  their  parting  secured 
her,  through  the  Spanish  consul,  a  passage  home  in  a 
Government  steamer.  Lady  Emmeline  addressed  to  her 
the  following  stanzas  on  leaving  America  : — 

"  I  seek  mine  own  fair  land,  but,  ere  I  part, 

Some  farewell  words  I  fain  afar  would  send ; 
To  whom  but  thee  ?  thou  friend  of  my  true  heart, 
My  ever  lovely  and  beloved  friend  1 

"Thou  chosen  sister  of  my  soull  methinks 

Our  friendship  had  a  high,  immortal  birth ; 
Beyond  the  stars  were  twined  its  deathless  links, 
'Twas  born  in  heaven,  to  bloom  awhile  on  earth. 

"Yet  strange !  'twas  born  of  death.     Our  joy,  our  pride, . 

We  both  had  seen  snatched  from  us  at  a  blow ; 
Our  morning  stars  of  life,  our  darlings  died, 
And  both  have  drained  the  self-same  cup  of  woe. 

•'Ah!  how  alike  both  felt  that  deadly  wound, 

"With  what  congenial  pangs,  what  kindred  smart; 
What  semblance  in  our  sorrow's  vein  we  found, 
E'en  ha  the  wildest  storm-bursts  of  the  heart. 


MADAME   LE   VERT.  405 

"  Say,  sweetest  friend,  if,  wandering  by  the  wave 

That  breaks  like  dawn  on  Alabama's  shore, 
Thou  still  dost  dwell,  with  thoughts  serene,  though  grave. 
On  all  that  we  together  felt  before? 

"  Friend,  whom  my  changeless  heart  most  dearly  loves, 

.  In  all  this  radiant  Western  World,  so  wide, 
Fair  are  thy  Southern  home' s  magnolia  groves, 
Whose  stately  shades  are  glassed  along  the  tide. 

"But  fairer,  lovelier,  dearer,  heavenlier  far, 

One  little  spot  to  memory's  gaze  appears; 
A  grave !  yet  gleamed  it  like  a  distant  star 
Through  the  interposing  medium  of  our  tears. 

"Locked  were  thy  jewels  in  that  treasure-cave, 

Where  angels  leaned,  and  watched  the  sleeping  flowers; 
My  pearl  slept  far  beyond  the  Atlantic's  wave, 
New  planted  for  the  glad  Elysian  bowers. 

"  We  stood  beside  that  grave,  in  silence  stood — 

'Twere  vain  to  speak  where  human  speech  must  fail; 
We  gazed  not  then  on  the  emerald-tinted  wood, 
Nor  marked  the  varied  pride  of  hill  or  dale. 

"  Then  memory  did  to  England's  shore  revert, 

Where  keeps  its  precious  charge  another  grave  ; 
Ay,  but  with  feelings  glowing  at  my  heart 

Which  seemed  death's  darkness  and  its  dust  to  brave. 

"Now  let  me  turn  once  more  to  theel  to  thee! 

Sweet  Rose  of  Florida — 'twas  there  thine  eyes 
First  opened  to  the  light,  the  earth,  the  sea, 
And  all  the  sparkling  beauty  of  the  skies. 

"  Most  dear  to  thee  are  Alabama's  shores, 

Though  still  thou  own'st,  while  life's  dark  seasons  roll, 
And  time  thins  fast  the  heart's  own  treasure-stores, 
'Tis  no  true  Alabama*  of  the  souL 

*  "Alabama"  signifies,  in  the  Indian  language,  "Here  we  rest" 
There  is  a  legend  of  a  tribe  of  Indians  who  fled  from  a  relentless  foe  to 
the  forests  of  the  Southwest.  Weary  and  travel-worn,  they  reached  a 


406  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

"  Bold  was  the  proud  red  warrior,  vainly  bold, 

Whose  lips  pronounced  the  daring  "Here  we  rest!" 
Though  bright  as  Hesperian  groves  of  old 
Spread  the  fair  land  its  calm  and  beauteous  breast. 

"  But  who  can  rest  on  earth,  until  no  more 

Tossed  on  life's  sea-like  surface?     'Tis  in  vain. 
They  rested  not,  that  race  which  passed  before; 
Ye  rest  not,  dwellers  on  this  flower-lit  plain. 

"  But  they,  our  children,  o'er  whose  graves  we  mourned, 

Sleep  well.     Rest,  folded  flower  and  buried  gem  I 
By  angels  summoned,  they  to  God  returned, 
And  all  is  "Alabama"  now  to  them. 

"Oh I  lost  and  loved  ones,  lead  us  in  the  way, 

And  be  our  sorrowings  o'er  your  joys  forgiven; 
"Warn  us,  ye  tender  teachers,  not  to  say 

That  "  here  we  rest "  in  any  home  but  heaven. 

"Farewell!     Yet  surely  friendship  such  as  ours 

Dreads  no  farewell !     It  sprang  from  out  the  tomb, 
To  know  no  death.    It  flings  off  earthly  hours 
As  rocks  the  spray.     Eternity  's  its  home." 

In  the  summer  of  1853,  Madame  Le  Vert,  with  her 
father  and  daughter,  visited  England.  The  family  of 
the  Duke  of  Rutland  showed  her  the  greatest  attention. 
She  visited  Belvoir  Castle,  the  splendid  home  of  the 
Duke,  and  was  called  upon  and  entertained  by  all  the 
relatives  of  Lady  Emmeline,  who  had  delighted  in 
describing  the  charming  hospitalities  of  Madame  Le 
Vert's  house  in  Mobile.  Never,  perhaps,  had  an  Ameri- 
can a  more  brilliant  success  in  the  way  of  access  to  the 

noble  river,  flowing  through  a  beautiful  country.  The  chief  of  the  band 

struck  his  tent-pole  in  the  ground,  and  exclaimed :  "Alabama !  Alabama !" 

("Here  we  rest!    Here  we  rest!")     From  this  exclamation  comes  the 
aame  of  the  State  and  the  river. 


MADAME   LE   VERT.  407 

highest  class  of  society,  and  notice  from  royalty.  But  if 
her  first  reception  and  welcome  were  due  to  Lady  Em- 
meline's  friendship,  her  own  social  gifts  and  accomplish- 
ments opened  the  way  to  further  triumphs.  The  Queen 
herself  honored  the  American  belle  in  a  remarkable 
manner,  by  sending  her  a  card  to  a  State  ball  without  a 
previous  presentation.  This  was  an  exception  to  the 
rule  of  court  etiquette,  and  made  quite  a  stir  in  aristo- 
cratic circles.  Madame  Le  Yert  was  at  dinner  when  a 
package  bearing  the  royal  arms  was  handed  to  her,  con- 
taining an  invitation  never  before  extended  even  to  a 
crowned  head  without  the  preliminary  of  an  introduc- 
tion. She  procured  a  dress  in  all  haste,  sent  for  Mr. 
Ingersoll,  then  ambassador,  and  was  escorted  by  him  to 
the  ball.  The  royal  circle  was  composed  of  the  Queen 
and  Prince  Albert,  the  Duchess  of  Kent,  the  King  and 
Queen  of  Prussia,  Prince  Frederick  William,  the  King 
and  Queen  of  Hanover,  and  other  royal  personages. 
The  Lord  Chamberlain  presented  her,  and  bade  her 
welcome  in  the  Queen's  name.  Madame  Le  Yert  made 
her  obeisance,  which  was  returned  by  the  Queen  and 
Prince  Albert.  The  Queen  then  asked  her  how  she 
liked  England,  and  if  she  had  been  pleased  with  her 
new  friends.  This  special  distinction,  of  course,  ren- 
dered Madame  Le  Yert  a  star  in  the  court  circles.  Her 
fascinating  qualities,  frank  gayety,  and  wonderful  tact, 
went  far  to  satisfy  curiosity  as  to  how  this  brilliant  and 
fortunate  lady  could  win  such  honors.  She  received  the 
homage  paid  to  her  with  the  same  simple  grace  as  in  her 


i08  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

own  hotae.  A  London  critic  speaks  of  the  surprise  and 
admiration  of  the  foreign  ministers  at  hearing  her  fluent 
utterance  of  their  different  languages.  Even  the  Turk- 
ish Ambassador,  being  told  she  was  a  Georgian,  ex- 
claimed :  "  Ah,  Madame,  I  can  well  imagine  you  are  a 
Georgian — for  no  other  women  possess  such  beauty." 

Frederika  Bremer,  an  attached  friend  of  Madame  Le 
Vert,  did  all  she  could  to  contribute  to  the  pleasure  of 
her  European  visit.  At  a  party  at  Lord  John  Manners's 
she  met  D'Israeli,  and  other  celebrities.  She  also  visited 
Stafford  House,  the  residence  of  the  Duchess  of  Suther- 
land, was  at  a  conversazione  given  at  the  Lord  Mayor's, 
and  met  the  German  poet  Freiligrath,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S. 
C.  Hall,  Mrs.  Mary  Howitt,  and  Mrs.  Crosland.  Ke- 
turning  to  America  in  1854,  in  the  following  year  she 
went  again  to  Europe,  with  her  husband  and  lovely 
daughter  Octavia.  Some  weeks  were  spent  in  Havana, 
whence  she  went  to  Cadiz,  and  traveled  through  Spain 
and  France  to  Italy,  arriving  at  Borne  in  time  for  the 
ceremonies  of  the  Holy  Week.  The  summer  of  the 
"  Great  Exposition"  was  spent  in  Paris,  where  she  wit- 
nessed the  pageants  in  honor  of  Queen  Yictoria's  visit. 
She  described  particularly  a  ball  at  the  palace  of  the 
Count  de  Walewski,  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs,  where 
twelve  rooms  were  opened.  At  a  ball  given  by  the 
Prince  Napoleon,  she  was  presented  to  the  Countess 
Montijo,  the  mother  of  the  Empress  Eugenie.  This 
noble  lady  proved  a  kind  and  attentive  friend  to  her ; 
accompanying  her  to  the  palace,  where  she  was  present' 


MADAME   LE   VERT.  409 

ed  to  the  Emperor  and  Empress.  Lamartine,  Dumas, 
Ristori,  and  others,  figured  in  her  record.  On  her  re- 
turn home,  her  house  on  the  broad,  imperial  avenue 
became  more  than  ever  the  abode  of  splendid  hospitality. 
A  genial  welcome  was  extended  to  every  worthy  stran- 
ger, and  a  place  of  reunion  was  offered  for  all  distin- 
guished visitors.  Her  receptions  were  "  the  boast  and 
pride  of  the  citizens."  A  genuine  republican  in  her 
feelings,  Madame  Le  Yert  respected  and  cherished 
genius  and  merit,  however  humble  Vheir  condition. 
Whoever  had  talent  and  moral  worth,  with  minds  ex- 
panded by  education,  had  a  claim  upon  her;  but  she 
could  not  enjoy  the  society  of  commonplace  money- 
grubbing  people,  unable  to  appreciate  art  or  the  best 
tone  of  conversation.  Artists,  poets,  and  actors  she  wel- 
comed. After  her  first  visit  to  Europe,  she  had  recep- 
tions every  Monday,  from  eleven  in  the  morning  to 
eleven  at  night ;  and  the  house  was  crowded  all  day. 
One  day  a  plain  old  country  planter  called,  and  pointing 
to  a  picture,  requested  her  to  read  to  him  from  her  book 
the  description  of  a  celebrated  grotto  on  the  coast 
of  Naples.  She  readily  complied.  Lover  visited  her, 
and  sang  for  the  pleasure  of  her  circle.  When  Kossuth 
visited  Mobile,  Madame  Le  Yert  met  and  conducted  him 
to  her  house  to  lunch  ;  walking,  while  the  carriage  drove 
alongside,  through  the  people  who  came  to  see  the  illus- 
trious stranger. 

Miss  Bremer  thus  wrote  of  Madame  Le  Yert : — 

"  It  is  so  .strange  that  that  little  worldly  lady,  whom  I  had 
18 


410  QUEENS  OF   AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

heard  spoken  of  as  a  belle,  and  as  the  most  splendid  ornament  of 
society  wherever  she  went,  has  yet  become  almost  as  dear  to  me  as 
a  young  sister.  But  she  has  become  so  from  being  so  very  excel- 
lent ;  because  she  has  suffered  much ;  and  because  under  a  worldly 
exterior  there  is  an  unusually  sound  and  pure  intellect  and  a  heart 
full  of  affection,  which  can  cast  aside  all  the  vanities  of  the  world 
for  the  power  of  gratifying  those  whom  she  loves.  This  fair 
daughter  of  Florida  is  surrounded  by  a  circle  of  relatives  who  seem 
to  regard  her  as  the  apple  of  their  eye ;  and  if  you  would  see  the 
ideal  of  the  relationship  between  a  lady  and  her  female  slave,  you 
should  see  Octavia  Le  Vert  and  her  clever,  handsome  mulatto 
attendant,  Betsey.  Betsey  seems  really  not  to  live  for  any  thing 
else  than  for  her  mistress  Octavia." 

Another  friend  writes : — 

"North,  south,  east,  west,  goes  Betsey  with  her  mistress; 
through  bristling  ranks  of  Abolitionists,  up  the  Ehine,  over  the 
Alps,  everywhere  goes  Betsey  defying  prejudice,  and  scorning 
fanaticism.  On  one  occasion,  Betsey  was  thrown  out  of  a  railway 
carriage,  and  her  mistress  gave  her  the  tenderest  care." 

A  writer  in  the  "  New  Orleans  Delta "  described  an 
entertainment  given  at  Madame  Le  Yert's  house  in 
Mobile:— 

"  From  early  starlight  till  the  roses  of  morning  began  to  lighten 
the  eastern  waters,  the  elegant  mansion  was  a  blaze  of  light  in  its 
drawing-rooms  and  halls;  the  surrounding  parterres,  with  their 
thick  foliage  of  orange-trees,  oleanders,  and  magnolias,  were  illu- 
minated with  multitudes  of  many-colored  lamps  in  tbe  form  of 
fruits  and  flowers,  shining  as  though  an  emerald  vail  had  entangled 
swarms  of  fire-flies,  or  flowers  of  flame  and  fruits  of  gold  from  fairy 
orchards  were  imprisoned  within  the  clustering  branches.  About 
ten  the  '  goodly  companie '  began  to  fill  the  spacious  rooms,  which 
were  decorated  with  works  of  art  and  fine  paintings  brought  from 
foreign  lands.  The  walls  of  the  principal  drawing-room,  adorned 
by  portraits  of  distinguished  persons,  were  wreathed  with  garlands 
of  the  rich  flowers  then  in  luxuriant  blossom ;  and  in  the  midst  of 


MADAME   LE  VERT.  411 

the  roses  stood  the  accomplished  lady,  receiving  her  gnests." — 
"What  sculptured  beauty  in  that  rounded  form!  She  is  not  tall, 
but  such  perfect  symmetry,  such  undulating  grace,  such  decorous 
dignity,  such  cordial  courtesy,  such  infinite  adaptiveness  of  manner, 
you  have  never  seen  before.  Her  face  is  Madonna-like,  brown 
waves  of  hair  parting  from  a  high,  broad  forehead ;  her  eyes  are 
blue,  and  seem  to  melt  with  thought,  and  her  chiseled  lips  are 
tinted  like  the  delicate  sea-shell." — "She  has  made  you  think,  just 
by  her  manner  and  her  few  felicitous  words,  that  you  are  the  very- 
being  she  is  most  delighted  to  see.  Such  is  the  mysterious  spell  of 
her  grace  and  courtesy." — "Look  how  yon  stairway  is  crowded! 
You  may  see  the  loveliness  of  Mobile  gliding  through  the  dance. 
The  stars  crowd  upon  each  other.  Close  by  her  mother's  side  is  a 
fair  young  creature  just  entering  on  her  teens — it  is  the  eldest 
daughter  of  our  hostess ;  and  near  her  is  the  noblest  specimen  of  a 
Southern  matron,  elegant,  amiable,  and  intelligent — Mrs.  Walton, 
the  mother  of  Madame  Le  Vert.  That  splendid-looking  man  in  the 
door- way  is  Dr.  Le  Vert,  who  always  enjoys  the  social  success  of 
his  wife.  All  the  elite  of  our  city  were  present,  many  from  the 
interior  of  Alabama,  and  some  from  New  Orleans.  Two  thousand 
invitations  had  been  issued,  and  the  preparations  for  the  entertain- 
ment were  extensive.  In  our  Queen  City  of  the  Gulf  there  has 
never  been  a  fete  so  magnificent." 

The  author  of  "  Life  in  Washington,"  describing 
Madame  Le  Yert,  said : — 

"Lively  and  brilliant,  she  appears  the  favorite  of  every  society 
she  enters." 

Another  fair  writer : — 

"  She  was  surrounded  by  visitors,  of  course ;  but  she  greeted 
us  with  great  warmth,  and  we  had  not  been  five  minutes  in  her 
presence  before  she  found  the  direct  road  to  our  heart.  She  wore 
a  light  blue  silk,  covered  with  clusters  of  white  roses,  and  her 
jewels  were  a  set  of  turquoises.  We  listened  to  her  delightful 
conversation  in  silence.  In  a  short  time,  some  of  her  visitors 
retired.  Then  she  drew  a  chair  close  beside  us,  opened  the  book 
she  held,  and  read  us  a  few  pages  from  her  unpublished  journal." 


412  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Another  wrote  of  her  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island : — 

"No  queen  could  have  met  with  a  more  enthusiastic  reception. 
She  has  enchanted  alike  the  grave  and  the  gay,  the  old  and  young, 
by  her  exquisite  grace  of  manner  and  kindness  of  heart.  She  may 
justly  be  called  a  female  Crichton,  for  she  excels  in  every  thing  she 
attempts.  At  the  fancy  ball  given  at  the  Ocean  House,  she 
appeared  as  Nourmahal,  the  Light  of  the  Harem.  Her  costume 
was  perfect  in  its  oriental  magnificence,  absolutely  blazing  with 
jewels.  She  wore  a  closely-fitting  bodice  of  silver  lama,  over  which 
fell  a  net-work  of  pearls;  around  her  waist  was  a  girdle  of  glitter- 
ing gems — the  topaz,  amethyst,  emerald,  and  diamond  mingled 
their  splendors.  Her  dark  glossy  hair,  simply  parted  upon  her 
white  forehead,  was  gathered  beneath  a  turban  of  white  and  silver 
lama,  adorned  with  a  diamond  crescent  of  rare  value.  The  short 
dress  was  of  satin,  embroidered  with  pearls,  and  the  Turkish 
trousers,  of  the  same  material,  were  fastened  by  silver  anklets. 
Her -feet  were  cased  in  gold  and  crimson  slippers,  and  long  oriental 
sleeves  shaded  her  beautiful  arms,  which  were  decorated  with 
armlets,  her  wrists  being  encircled  by  costly  bracelets ;  while  on 
her  neck  gleamed  a  superb  diamond  necklace.  A  gorgeous  fan 
completed  the  dress,  which  might  have  been  that  of  Lalla  Rookh, 
when  Moore  v  rote  the  lines : — 

"  '  Illumed  by  a  wit  that  would  fascinate  sages, 

Yet  playful  as  Peris  just  loosed  from  their  cages.'  " 

At  Saratoga,  where  she  had  been  so  admired  as  a 
girl,  Madame  Le  Yert  was  again  a  reigning  belle  by 
acclamation,  "  still  wearing  the  chaplet  of  beauty,  with 
many  a  fresh  flower ;  even  more  lovely,  more  brilliant, 
more  graceful  than  ever." 

"  Amid  the  charming  representatives  of  the  various  States  she 
stands  the  most  distinguished,  having  no  rival.  Her  colloquial 
talents,  her  tact,  emanating  from  a  kind  heart,  captivate  all  who 
approach  her.  She  floats  through  the  rooms,  with  a  radiant  smile . 
for  her  acquaintances;  now  the  object  of  admiration  to  a  group  of 
Americans,  now  with  silver-toned  voice  and  perfect  Castilian 


MADAME  LE   VEET.  413 

accent  describing  the  gay  scene  to  a  Spaniard,  now  in  conversation 
with  a  Frenchman,  an  Italian,  and  a  German,  speaking  in  his  own 
language  to  each,  and  changing  one  for  another  with  lightning 
rapidity.  Then  we  find  her  in  earnest  conversation  with  some 
distinguished  scholar,  and  note  the  stores  of  erudition,  the  vigorous 
grasp  of  intellect,  and  the  rich  mental  culture  which  are  among 
her  resources.  "We  do  involuntary  homage  to  those  matchless 
powers,  such  as  in  other  lands  made  the  undying  fame  of  a  De 
Stael,  a  De  Genlis,  or  a  Maintenon.  At  the  same  time,  the  grace 
and  high-bred  manner  with  which  she  receives  homage  remove  her 
as  far  from  the  hackneyed  every-day  belle  as  the  stars  are  above 
the  earth.  It  is  easy  to  see  that  a  pure  and  noble  heart,  with  a 
highly  cultivated  mind,  brightens  that  soul-lighted  face.  Last 
night,  at  the  fancy  ball,  she  was  brilliant  in  the  costume  of  Haide'e, 
in  '  The  Oriental  Dream.'  " 

Society  being  the  natural  element  of  this  gifted  lady, 
she  has  always  manifested,  an  interest  in  benevolent 
undertakings  which  her  influence  could  aid.  She  gave 
an  eloquent  address  on  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of 
the  monument  to  Henry  Clay  in  New  Orleans.  Few 
had  better  opportunities  of  studying  Mr.  Clay's  char- 
acter, for  he  was  to  her  a  dear  and  honored  friend.  She 
was  the  Yice-Regent  of  the  Mount  Yernon  Association 
for  Alabama,  and  addressed  an  appeal  in  its  behalf  to 
her  State,  which  met  with  a  hearty  response.  On  the 
4th  of  July,  at  her  own  house,  she  received  seven  hun- 
dred dollars  in  small  contributions  to  the  fund. 

Madame  Le  Vert  was  in  New  York  in  the  autumn 
of  1860,  during  the  visit  of  the  Prince  of  Wales,  and  was 
one  of  the  select  and  brilliant  party  at  the  superb  break- 
fast given  to  the  Prince  by  Mayor  Wood  at  his  villa — 
"  Woodlawn."  She  and  her  daughter  were  treated  with 


414  QUEENS  OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

special  attention  by  the  royal  guest,  who  expressed  great 
pleasure  in  meeting  with  a  lady  known  to  his  august 
mother,  and  who  had  been  so  kind  to  his  countrymen. 

The  summer  of  this  year  had  been  a  happy  one  to 
Madame  Le  Vert,  and  full  of  joy  and  hope  she  returned 
to  her  Southern  home.  There  sorrow  was  hovering,  as 
clouds  were  gathering  over  her  country.  Her  idolized 
mother  was  in  failing  health.  This  lady  has  been  men- 
tioned as  a  woman  of  brilliant  gifts.  She  lived  near  her 
daughter,  and  usually  spent  her  evenings  with  her. 
"  Frequently,"  says  one  of  her  friends,  "  the  mother, 
daughter,  and  grand-daughter  attend  the  same  party, 
dance  in  the  same  quadrille,  and  attract  their  own 
separate  coteries."  After  an  illness  of  two  months  this 
estimable  woman  breathed  her  last  in  the  arms  of  her 
daughter,  who  was  so  crushed  by  affliction  that  for 
many  weeks  she  lingered  in  the  shadow  of  the  grave. 
God  willed  her  continuance  in  life,  and  she  slowly 
returned  to  health.  The  health  of  Dr.  Le  Vert  had  been 
failing,  and  his  wife  devoted  herself  to  him  day  and 
night.  In  the  midst  of  this  distress  Colonel  Walton 
died.  The  accumulation  of  sorrow  was  overwhelming, 
but  for  her  stricken  husband's  sake,  the  bereaved  daugh- 
ter struggled  for  strength  to  do  all  that  his  condition 
required,  while  she  also  gave  relief  in  many  cases  of  suf- 
fering brought  to  her  knowledge.  Dr.  Le  Yert  died  a 
year  before  the  close  of  the  war,  having  been  an  invalid 
four  years,  tenderly  nursed  by  the  wife  whom  he  blessed 
with  dying  breath. 


MADAME   LE   VERT.  415 

Thus  was  Madame  Le  Yert  left  alone  in  the  world 
with  her  two  young  daughters.  In  1865,  her  numerous 
slaves  were  emancipated  with  all  others.  They  were  in 
consternation  on  hearing  that  they  were  to  be  separated 
from  their  mistress.  Gathering  around  her  in  a  body, 
they  implored  her  to  keep  them.  "  Let  us  stay  with 
you,"  they  entreated ;  "  we  will  work  for  you  as  we 
have  always  done.  We  do  not  want  freedom,  if  it  takes 
us  from  you !"  With  tears  of  gratitude  for  their  devo- 
tion, their  mistress  explained  to  them  that  they  were 
now  free ;  but  she  promised  always  to  be  their  friend. 
Her  maid,  Betsey,  positively  refused  to  leave  her. 

Five  years  of  trial  and  grief  had  left  their  impress 
upon  Madame  Le  Yert's  health,  and  her  friends  in 
Mobile  urged  her  to  revisit  the  North.  She  came  to 
New  York  in  the  summer  of  1865,  with  her  daughters. 
They  were  received  by  their  former  friends  with  such 
cordiality  and  delight,  that  they  found  it  necessary  to 
have  reception- days  every  week  at  the  Fifth  Avenue 
Hotel,  where  they  stayed.  The  autumn  and  early  por- 
tion of  the  winter  were  spent  in  the  enjoyment  of  the 
fashionable  gayeties  of  New  York;  in  January  they 
went  to  Washington.  Here  they  were  most  warmly 
welcomed,  and  received  flattering  attentions  from  the 
President  and  his  family,  the  members  of  the  Cabinet, 
and  the  Foreign  Ministers.  Madame  Le  Yert's  recep- 
tion was,  indeed,  no  less  brilliant  than  in  the  days  of 
her  happy  youth.  Many  of  the  friends  of  her  girlhood 


416  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

came  to  greet  her.     Among  these  was  Rev.  John  Pier- 
pont,  who  exclaimed,  on  seeing  her: — 

"  Octavia — what — the  Eight  I     If  gracious  Heaven 
Hath  made  eight  such — where  are  the  other  seven?" 

The  summer  of  1866  was  spent  at  Saratoga  and  other 
places  of  rural  resort — the  party  returning  to  New  York 
in  September,  to  prepare  for  the  journey  southward  in 
November.  On  the  way  to  Mobile,  they  lingered  some 
weeks  near  Nashville,  the  guests  of  Mrs.  Acklen.  She 
gave  them  a  brilliant  reception,  at  which  Madame  Le 
Yert  wore  lilac-colored  moire  antique,  with  a  Grecian 
head-dress ;  her  daughters,  rose-colored  satin  trimmed 
with  Brussels  lace  and  silver  cord.  The  next  stopping- 
place  of  Madame  Le  Yert  was  at  "  Bellevue  " — the  place 
of  her  birth,  "the  sweetest  cottage  in  the  world" — near 
Augusta,  now  the  residence  of  her  aunt.  Its  groves  of 
oak,  and  bowers  of  jessamine,  clematis,  and  Cherokee 
roses,  its  parterres  of  flowers,  exhibit  the  luxuriance  of 
nature  in  that  sunny  region.  The  lady  of  the  place  was 
in  her  youth  called  "  the  beauty  of  the  South  ;"  and  en- 
joys a  distinction  few  Americans  can  boast,  in  living,  in 
advanced  age,  on  the  spot  where  she  was  born. 

In  1867  Madame  Le  Yert  and  her  daughters  spent 
some  time  in  New  Orleans.  Two  of  her  former  slaves, 
who  were  established  in  that  city,  left  all  other  employ- 
ment, and  insisted  on  being  permitted  to  wait  upon  their 
idolized  mistress,  refusing  all  payment  for  their  services. 
Madame  Le  Yert  was  obliged  to  promise  all  her  house- 
servants  to  take  them  back  whenever  she  should  return 


,  A  „<£  ME  AIT  MAM 


MES.   ACKLEN.  417 

to  her  old  home  in  Mobile.  Their  attachment  to  her 
amounts  to  adoration.  Even  the  little  children,  brought 
by  their  mothers  to  see  her,  would  kneel  before  her,  cry- 
ing :  "  Oh,  pray,  Miss  'Tavie,  come  back,  and  live  with 
us !"  Such  touching  incidents  prove  that  negroes  have 
grateful  hearts.  Some  Southerners,  reduced  to  penury, 
have  been  supported  by  the  free  and  loving  offerings  of 
their  former  slaves. 


MES.  ACKLEN,  distinguished  for  graces  and  accom- 
plishments in  the  society  of  Nashville,  Tennessee,  is  the 
daughter  of  Oliver  B.  Hayes,  a  native  of  South  Hadley, 
Massachusetts.  He  was  among  the  pioneers  of  the  mid- 
dle division  of  Tennessee,  and  at  twenty-eight  married 
Sarah  C.  Hightower,  the  daughter  of  Richard  High- 
tower,  a  wealthy  farmer  of  Williamson  County.  Mr. 
Hayes  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  eminent  law- 
yers in  the  State,  acquiring  a  considerable  fortune  by  his 
professional  success.  Thus  he  gained  time  and  opportu- 
nity to  devote  himself  to  study  in  other  branches.  In 
after  years  he  became  a  clergyman,  distinguished  for 
ability  and  eloquence.  Mrs.  Hayes  was  noted  for  per- 
sonal beauty,  grace  of  manner,  and  sweetness  of  disposi- 
tion. She  was  never  forgetful  of  the  poor,  and  made 
her  home  a  paradise.  Reared  by  such  parents,  their 
lovely  daughter,  Adelicia,  grew  up  surrounded  by  all  the 
advantages  of  fortune  and  of  judicious  culture.  She  was 

educated  at  the  Nashville  Female  College,  the  best  semi- 
is*' 


418  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

nary  in  the  State.  Possessing  great  beauty  and  every 
charming  accomplishment,  she  graced  an  elevated  circle 
of  society.  In  the  bloom  of  early  youth  she  was  mar- 
ried to  Mr.  Isaac  Franklin,  one  of  the  most  opulent 
planters  of  Louisiana.  He  lived  but  a  few  years — 
adoring  his  wife,  to  whom  he  bequeathed  his  immense 
fortune. 

When  the  youthful  widow  reappeared  in  society,  it 
was  with  even  more  brilliant  loveliness,  softened  by  a 
gentle  grace  and  dignity  that  won  more  admiration  than 
ever.  Her  hand  was  a  prize  coveted  by  many  distin- 
guished admirers ;  it  was  won  by  Colonel  Joseph  Act  • 
len,  of  Huntsville,  Alabama,  an  eminent  member  of  the 
legal  profession.  Possessing  refined  taste  and  cultiva- 
tion, he  made  improvements  in  their  large  estate  near 
Nashville,  building  a  magnificent  house,  Italian  in  its 
style  of  architecture.  It  stands  on  the  summit  of  a  hill ; 
the  grounds  surrounding  it  are  highly  ornamental,  and 
the  spacious  greenhouse  and  conservatories  are  filled 
with  choice  flowers.  This  villa — called  "  Belle m on te  " — 
is  one  of  the  centre  spots  of  attraction  in  the  State,  and 
is  said  to  be  the  most  beautiful  in  the  Southwest.  Mrs. 
Acklen  was  the  light  of  this  abode — the  pride  and  joy 
of  her  husband  ;  but  he  lived  only  a  few  years  to  enjoy 
•the  happiness  that  crowned  his  union  with  so  charming 
a  wife,  in  a  home  full  of  the  sanctities  of  love. 

Shortly  after  his  death,  Mrs.  Acklen,  with  her  chil- 
dren, spent  two  years  in  a  European  tour.  She  was 
invited  to  the  Imperial  ball  given  at  the  opening  of  the 


MRS.   ACKLEN.  419 

.National  Assembly,  and  was  received  with  marked  con- 
sideration by  the  French  Emperor  and  Empress.  Her 
beauty,  grace,  and  courtly  manners,  with  her  rich  and 
tasteful  dress  at  all  times,  and  the  superb  style  in  which 
she  lived,  created  a  sensation  in  Paris,  and  in  social 
circles  she  was  universally  admired.  Returning  to  her 
princely  home,  she  brought  with  her  some  of  the  finest 
works  of  art  in  statuary,  painting,  and  engraving,  with  rare 
articles  of  vertu — a  variety  such  as  few  American  homes 
can  boast — as  contributions  to  her  splendid  galleries.  No 
expense  was  spared  in  the  adornment  of  this  beautiful 
place.  The  drawing-rooms,  halls,  and  lofty  corridors 
contain  specimens  of  the  great  sculptors  of  the  old  and  the 
new  world.  In  the  centre  of  the  grand,  hall  lighted  by 
windows  of  stained  glass,  stands  the  matchless  "Peri" 
of  Mosier,  pronounced  quite  equal  to  the  "  Greek  Slave ;" 
"  combining  angelic  attributes  with  the  charms  of  the 
human  face."  The  sculptor  has  chosen  the  moment 
when  the  Peri,  standing  before  the  opening  gates  of 
Paradise,  exclaims : — 

"Joy,  joy  forever  1  my  task  is  donel"  &c. 

In  the  front  hall  is  the  " Huth"  of  Rogers;  and  in 
the  large  drawing-room,  the  exquisite  " /Sans  Souci"  of 
Ives,  expressing,  in  its  perfect  beauty,  the  abandon  and 
grace  of  a  child.  "  Rebecca  at  the  Well"  by  the  same 
artist,  is  there ;  and  the  group  of  "  The  Twins"  by  Rein- 
hardt,  with  a  number  of  choice  paintings  from  the  old 
masters.  At  the  close  of  1866  Mrs.  Acklen  gave  the 


420  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

reception  "complimentary  to  Madame  Le  Vert,"  prepa- 
rations for  which  caused  no  small  excitement  in  the 
business  streets  of  Nashville.  It  was  called  "  the  fore- 
runner of  a  new  regime  of  entertainments,  combining 
intellectual  and  artistic  enjoyment  with  perfect  taste." 
The  observatory,  groves,  and  parterres  were  illuminated, 
and  the  effect  of  the  light  among  the  statues,  shrubbery, 
and  flowers,  with  music  from  the  portico,  was  fairy -like. 
The  beautiful  hostess  wore  the  dress  of  pearl-colored 
satin,  trimmed  with  richest  point  d'Alengon,  in  which 
she  had  been  presented  at  the  French  court,  with  a 
coronet  of  diamonds,  and  diamond  necklace  and  brace- 
lets. Ladies  were  there  from  Memphis  and  from  Ken- 
tucky; and  the  sister  and  nieces  of  the  hostess  were 
greatly  admired. 

Mrs.  Acklen  has  lately  married  Dr.  "W.  A.  Cheat- 
ham.  She  is  no  less  distinguished  for  her  generous 
charities  than  for  her  brilliant  social  graces.  Hers  is  the 
home  of  cordial  hospitality,  to  which  resort  all  the  celeb- 
rities who  visit  Nashville ;  and  the  poor  partake  of  the 
profuse  liberality  that  marks  her  entertainments.  She 
has  four  beautiful  children.  Three  of  her  brothers  are 
living.;  they  are  gentlemen  of  high  respectability  and 
ample  fortune.  Her  two  sisters — Mrs.  Shields  and  Mrs. 
Lawrence — have  a  share  of  the  same  personal  loveli- 
ness, and  are  like  her  in  all  engaging  feminine  virtues. 


Mrs.  Robert    Stanard — Miss  Martha  Pierce — was  a 
celebrated  leader  in  fashionable  society  in  Richmond, 


MRS.   STANARD.  421 

Virginia,  where  she  lived  thirty  years.  She  was  educa- 
ted in  Baltimore,  and  married  at  a  very  early  age.  Her 
house  was  the  last  burned  when  Richmond  was  in  part 
destroyed,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  she  went  to  Eu- 
ro'pe.  There  she  received  the  most  devoted  attention 
from  Sir  Henry  and  Lady  Bulwer,  whom  she  had  enter 
tained  at  her 'own  house,  and  had  taken  to  visit  "Shir- 
ley," a  noted  plantation  on  the  James  River,  belonging 
to  Dr.  Carter,  and  regarded  by  foreigners  as  "  a  show 
place."  She  was  treated  with  great  attention  by  other 
noble  friends  in  England ;  was  invited  by  the  Duke  of 
Wellington  to  Apsley  House,  and  introduced  to  his 
friends.  This  charming  woman  illustrates  the  best 
social  phase  in  the  city  where  she  resided — where  wealth 
was  no  passport  to  distinction,  and  the  golden-calf  wor- 
ship, which  too  often  disgusts  sensible  people  in  our 
great  metropolis,  was  unknown.  With  a  simplicity  an'd 
grace  that  bespeak  high  mental  culture,  an  elevated 
nature,  and  familiar  acquaintance  with  the  most  refined 
society,  she  unites  a  spontaneous  cordiality  that  can  only 
flow  from  a  warm  and  generous  heart.  In  the  midst  of 
trials  and  misfortunes,  her  sympathy  with  suffering 
friends  has  been  deep  and  constant.  The  attachment  of 
her  servants  to  so  kind  a  mistress,  their  sorrow  at  the 
parting  which  their  freedom  rendered  inevitable,  and 
particularly  the  devotion  of  her  maid  Patty,  who  put  off 
her  own  marriage  because  she  would  not  leave  her  lady 
alone  and  sad,  are  worthy  of  being  chronicled.  Mrs. 
Stannard  has  been  for  some  time  a  resident  of  Baltimore, 


422  QUEEN'S  OP  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

and  expects  to  make  her  home  with  her  son,  in  Fred- 
ericksburgh,  Virginia. 

Mrs.  "Wickham,  who  was  Miss  McClurg,  and  was 
born  in  Richmond,  is  well  known  through  a  portion  of 
Virginia  as  prominent  in  society.  Her  daughter  Ella 
was  celebrated  for  beauty;  another — Betsey— for  intel- 
lectual attainments. 

A  daughter  of  Mrs.  Wickham  became  the  wife  of 
Benjamin  Watkins  Lee,  of  Virginia. 

Another  distinguished  lady,  prominent  in  all  noble 
works,  as  she  has  been  in  society  by  right  of  intellectual 
gifts  and  charming  manners,  is  Miss  Emily  Mason,  of 
Kentucky.  Her  parents  were  Virginians— descended 
from  the  best  stock  in  the  "Old  Dominion."  Her 
mother  was  of  the  Marshall  and  Nicholson  families :  her 
paternal  grandfather  and  uncle  were  both  United  States 
senators  from  that  State.  Her  father,  General  Mason, 
removed  to  Kentucky  some  years  after  his  marriage,  and 
Emily  was  born  in  Lexington.  Her  only  brother  being 
elected  Governor  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  the 
family  followed  him  to  Detroit,  and  the  young  girl  was 
thence  sent  to  Mrs.  Willard's  school.  The  pressure  of 
affliction,  separating  the  members  of  the  family,  short- 
ened her  time  at  school ;  her  parents  went  to  Mexico, 
and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  Emily  presided  in  the  Gov- 
ernor's mansion  at  Detroit,  where  she  entertained  a 
great  deal  of  company,  and  exercised  unlimited  sway  in 
the  world  of  fashion.  Her  sprightly  wit  and  remarka- 
ble powers  of  conversation,  even  at  that  early  age,  gave 


MISS  EMILY  MASOtf.  423 

her  a  social  ascendency  unrivaled  by  any  in  that  fair 
western  city,  and  her  brilliant  style  of  beauty  attracted 
general  admiration.  After  the  death  of  her  brother  she 
rejoined  her  parents  in  Yirginia,  spending  some  time  in 
different  cities  of  the  Southwest.  In  New  Orleans  and 
elsewhere  she  became  a  celebrity  in  society.  Too  ear- 
nest in  purposes  of  usefulness,  and  too  intent  on  the  culti- 
vation of  her  mental  powers  for  the  frivolous  career  of 
an  ordinary  belle,  she  had  a  far  more  elevating  influence, 
and  commanded  attention  much  more  enviable.  It  was 
the  sway  not  merely  of  beauty,  but  of  varied  accom- 
plishments, rare  perception  and  adaptation,  and  a  "  so- 
cial genius"  few  women  have  possessed  in  this  country, 
combined  with  the  magnetic  power  of  a  generous  and 
sympathetic  nature.  In  her  impulsive,  fresh,  cordial 
manner,  and  what  may  be  called  heart-speaking,  she 
illustrated  a  peculiar  charm  of  Southern  character ; 
having  always  an  object  in  her  pursuits  beyond  the 
amusement  of  the  hour.  Her  mother  died  in  1839.  The 
death  of  her  father  was  followed  by  utter  loss  of  fortune. 
Many  of  her  friends  wrote  to  entreat  the  orphaned  girl 
to  reside  with  them;  at  one  time  no  less  than  seven 
homes  were  offered,  where  she  could  still  have  had  the 
enjoyment  of  affluence.  But  she  preferred  independ- 
ence at  the  cost  of  privation  and  labor.  She  purchased 
a  small  market  farm  in  Fairfax  County,  Virginia,  to 
which  she  removed  a  widowed  sister  and  her  family. 
This  little  home  was  soon  beautified  by  her  own  hands. 
With  the  children's  help  she  papered  and  painted  the 


424  QUEENS   OP  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

house;  and  together  they  worked  in  the  garden,  dig- 
ging and  planting  as  if  they  had  been  accustomed  to 
toil,  while  the  boys  went  to  market  and  mill  after  work- 
ing hours.  Often  did  Miss  Mason  labor  in  the  hot  sun 
for  seven  hours  at  a  time,  getting  in  her  hay  and  fodder. 
On  one  occasion  a  carriage  full  of  elegantly  dressed 
ladies,  from  Washington — only  ten  miles  distant — came 
to  the  house.  The  visitors  found  Miss  Emily  in  the 
stable-loft,  putting  away  and  salting  down  the  fodder; 
but  she  came  in  blooming  from  her  work  with  a  pleasant 
greeting  for  her  friends,  and,  like  true  Southerners,  they 
did  not  admire  her  the  less  for  doing  what  was  needed 
with  her  own  hands.  At  another  time,  a  fashionable 
lady,  approaching  the  house  at  a  distance,  saw  her  occu- 
pied in  sowing  grass-seed,  as  she  walked  to  and  fro 
across  her  lawn.  Mistaking  her  action,  the  affrighted 
lady  exclaimed  :  "  I  have  often  heard  it  said  Emily 
Mason  would  go  crazy  working  about  this  place !  and 
do  look  at  the  frantic  way  in  which  she  walks  up  and 
down  swinging  her  arm !"  A  young  gentleman  of  her 
acquaintance  was  wont  to  declare  that  the  hatchet  and 
nails  were  handed  round  whenever  he  went  to  pay  a 
visit,  as  cake  and  wine  would  be  handed  at  another 
house !  Thus  was  the  energetic  girl  determined  to  carry 
on  her  enterprise,  to  the  astonishment  of  her  aristocratic 
friends ;  and,  with  the  co-operation  of  her  young  rela- 
tives, their  happy  home  became  a  little  paradise,  content 
and  abundance  smiling  on  their  exertions.  But  war 
came ;  their  home  was  taken  from  them  for  "  military 


MISS  EMILY  MASON.  425 

purposes,"  and  the  innocent  inmates  were  driven  out 
shelterless,  being  forced  to  leave  behind  them  clothing, 
stores,  and  all  the  cherished  tokens  of  days  of  prosperity. 
At  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities  Miss  Mason  was  on  a 
visit  to  a  sick  relative  in  the  North.  She  became  sus- 
pected, and  was  denounced  as  a  Southern  spy;  was 
hunted  by  the  authorities,  hidden  by  her  friends — and 
finally  compelled  to  fly  from  pursuit.  She  fled  home- 
ward, and  had  a  dreadful  journey  alone  through  West 
Virginia ;  finding  no  place  of  refuge  where  her  home 
had  been.  Her  property  was  entirely  destroyed.  She 
then  went  to  the  hospitals,  and  particularly  devoted  her 
energies  to  active  usefulness  in  the  Winder  Hospital,  near 
Richmond.  Here,  and  in  the  prisons,  she  took  care  of 
the  sick,  wounded,  and  dying,  wherever  her  ministrations 
were  necessary ;  and  many  a  Union  soldier  had  .cause  for 
grateful  remembrance  of  her  good  offices.  Her  spirit  of 
benevolent  enterprise  survived  the  war.  Since  its  close 
she  has  worked  even  more  indefatigably  than  ever  in  the 
cause  of  humanity.  She  has  been  the  benefactress  of 
Southern  orphans,  solicitous  to  provide  for  them  the 
means  of  education,  that  they  may  be  enabled,  in  time, 
to  earn  their  own  living.  Her  widely  extended  influ- 
ence, and  the  confidence  of  all  who  know  her  in  her 
excellent  judgment,  faithful  care,  and  generous  charity, 
have  enabled  her  to  find  temporary  homes  for  twenty- 
five  destitute  little  creatures,  while  she  gives  herself  a 
respite  of  a  few  months,  taking  a  tour  in  Europe  with  an 
agreeable  party. 


i26  QUEENS  OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Miss  Sallie  Carneal,  the  daughter  of  Davis  Carneal, 
of  Kentucky,  was  the  most  celebrated  belle  of  Cincin- 
nati, not  only  for  beauty,  but  for  her  rare  musical  attain- 
ments, her  powers  of  song,  and  her  accomplishments 
as  a  linguist,  with  marked  and  noble  traits  of  character. 
Pier  fame  spread  widely  through  the  Southwest,  and  in 
Cincinnati  she  was  identified  with  all  that  was  elegant 
and  fashionable ;  being  truly  the  pride  and  queen  of  the 
Queen  City.  She  married  Mr.  Gleiidy  Burke,  a  noted 
merchant  of  New  Orleans,  and  did  not  long  survive  her 
marriage. 

A  prominent  belle  in  Kentucky,  and  called  "the 
belle  of  the  Southwest,"  was  Miss  Louisa  Bullitt.  She 
married  Mr.  De  Kantzou,  a  Swede,  and  went  with  him 
to  Sweden,  but  returned  to  live  in  this  country,  with 
vivacity  and  social  attractions  undiminished.  A  won 
derful  charm  of  her  manner  was  the  faculty  of  putting 
those  at  their  ease  who  conversed  with  her. 

MRS.  ROSA  YERTNER  JEFFREY  has  a  distinguished 
position  in  society  and  a  reputation  as  one  of  its  leaders, 
in  many  Southern  States  and  at  the  North,  as  well  as  an 
enviable  literary  fame.  The  influences  surrounding  her 
in  early  childhood  were  such  as  to  foster  her  genius  and 
refine  her  poetical  tastes.  Her  father,  Mr.  Grifiith, 
possessed  literary  culture,  and  was  much  admired  as  a 
writer.  His  gifted  daughter,  born  in  Natchez,  Miss., 
passed  her  early  years  at  a  lovely  country-home  near 
Port  Gibson,  Miss,,  where  she  was  tenderly  trained  by 
her  maternal  aunt,  who  supplied  the  place  of  her  lost 


MRS.  ROSA  YERTNER  JEFFREY.  427 

mother,  and  gave  Rosa  the  instruction  best  fitted  to 
develop  her  talents.  At  the  age  of  ten,  she  was  taken 
to  Kentucky,  her  father  superintending  her  education  at 
a  celebrated  seminary  in  Lexington.  At  seventeen  she 
was  married  to  Mr.  Claude  M.  Johnson,  a  gentleman  of 
fortune  and  elevated  character.  Their  residence  was  in 
Lexington  and  on  Mr.  Johnson's  plantation  in  Louisiana. 
Mrs.  Johnson's  first  volume  of  poems  was  published  in 
Boston  in  1857,  and  at  once  secured  her  the  very  high- 
est rank  as  a  poet  in  American  literature. 

Her  second  marriage  was  with  Mr.  Alexander  Jeffrey, 
a  gentleman  descended  of  a  noble  Scottish  family,  and 
celebrated  for  scientific  and  literary  attainments. 

This  is  not  the  place  to  speak  of  Mrs.  Jeffrey's  merits 
as  an  author:  but  we  may  mention  the  fact  that  many 
of  her  exquisitely  beautiful  poems,  become  "  household 
words  "  by  their  popularity,  have  so  endeared  her  to 
Southern  readers,  that  her  social  influence  has  been 
greatly  extended  thereby.  Her  charming  qualities  of 
character,  her  brilliant  powers,  her  fascinating  conversa- 
tion, and  the  evidences  of  a  pure,  noble,  and  generous 
nature,  united  to  her  remarkable  beauty,  have  made  her 
a  queen  in  every  circle  where  she  has  moved.  A  brief 
residence  at  the  North  gained  her  "  troops  of  friends ;" 
but  the  South  claims  her  with  peculiar  pride,  as  one  of 
its  most  accomplished  and  loveliest  daughters,  more 
widely  appreciated  than  any  other,  because  of  her  double 
title  to  admiration  and  esteem. 


428  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 


XXI. 

THE  influence  of  Mrs.  Fremont  has  been  very  pecu- 
liar. Without  entering  personally  into  the  arena  of 
politics,  or  using  any  machinery  of  partisanship,  she  has 
sent  forth  an  animating  spirit,  acting  on  eminent  minds. 
Living  in  the  whirl  of  social  excitement,  she  has  found 
time  to  maintain  relations  with  leading  statesmen  in 
every  part  of  the  country.  Her  influence  seems  to  have 
been  exercised,  not  in  the  furtherance  of  schemes,  but 
simply  by  the  force  of  a  powerful  nature  and  a  singular 
clearness  of  mental  vision.  In  France  she  might  have 
ruled  openly  in  the  councils  of  the  nation ;  in  America 
she  merely  gave  suggestions  and  advice  to  those  who 
controlled  the  people's  destiny.  Her  father  was  the  dis- 
tinguished Colonel  Thomas  H.  Benton,  of  Missouri,  who 
sat  thirty-one  years  in  the  United  States  Senate.  She 
was  born  in  Virginia,  on  the  family  estate  of  her  maternal 
grandfather,  Colonel  James  McDowell,  to  whose  father, 
a  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  British  service,  the  crown 
grant  for  military  services  was  originally  made,  and  who 
was  killed  there  by  Indians  in  1742.  The  domain  was 
in  Rockbridge  County,  and  extended  "  from  the  valley 
to  the  tops  of  all  the  hills  'in  view ;"  the  point  of  view 
a  lakelet  formed  by  the  meeting  of  two  streams 


MRS.   FREMONT.  429 

that  crossed  the  valley.  There  was  another  grant  often 
thousand  acres  of  pasture  land  in  Greenbriar  County, 
adjoining;  with  yet  another,  called  "the  military,"  of 
some  thousands  of  acres  in  Kentucky;  and  another  on 
the  Ohio  side  of  the  river,  on  which  a  part  of  Cincinnati 
was  built.  These  grants  of  "  wild  lands  "  were  made  by 
the  English  government,  instead  of  payments  in  money, 
to  their  young  officers.  The  inheritor  of  this  magnifi- 
cent estate  was  distinguished  not  only  by  noble  aspect 
and  dignity  of  manner,  but  by  uprightness,  justice,  and 
liberality,  with  a  temperance  rare  in  those  days.  He 
divided  his  patrimony  with  his  mother  and  sisters,  who, 
like  him,  bestowed  on  the  lands  the  most  careful  cultiva- 
tion, such  as  only  those  born  on  the  soil  they  expect  to 
transmit  to  their  children  are  willing  to  give.  It  was  a 
section  where  the  chief  crops  were  tobacco  and  wheat, 
and  where  the  Scotch  settlers  had  introduced  a  thorough 
system  of  farming.  The  best  imported  stock  and  horses 
always  belonged  to  the  property ;  and  thrift,  order,  and 
abundance  reigned.  Colonel  McDowell  married  into  the 
Preston  family,  and  held  a  commanding  position  during 
life.  He  was  a  private  court  of  appeal  on  questions  •  of 
property  and  honor  among  the  neighbors.  It  has  been 
recorded  that  but  ten  cases  on  which  he  had  pronounced 
an  opinion  had  afterwards  been  taken  into  court. 

In  this  region  stands  the  "  Washington  College," 
endowed  by  Washington,  of  which  General  Lee  is  now 
president.  On  the  same  "  College  Hill"  is  the  Military 
Institute,  of  which  Stonewall  Jackson  was  for  eight  years 


430  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

the  head.  There  stood  also  the  "  Ann  Smith  Academy,' 
•where  the  daughters  of  prominent  families  were  sent, 
attended,  in  their  own  carriages  and  on  horseback ;  their 
brothers  at  the  adjoining  school  having  their  special 
servants,  dogs,  guns,  and  horses.  Besides  the  ordinary 
branches,  the  girls  were  taught  fine  embroidery  and  the 
care  of  their  complexions.  No  high-born  Virginia  maid- 
en would  "  spread  her  hand  "  by  turning  a  door-knob,  or 
touching  the  tongs,  or  handling  a  heavy  object.  Long 
gloves  and  deep  sun-bonnets  were  constantly  worn,  and 
they  ate  little  meat  or  butter.  It  is  now  more  rationally 
believed  that  sunshine  and  a  nourishing  diet  are  essential 
to  health.  Every  girl  was  taught  her  duties  as  head  of 
a  house.  The  homely,  hearty  English  middle-class 
country-life  formed  the  model,  to  which  greater  breadth 
was  given  by  the  larger  extent  of  the  estates  and  num- 
ber of  laborers  to  be  managed.  The  Scotch  elements  of 
'diligence  and  conscientiousness,  modified  by  a  more 
liberal  scale  of  living,  created  a  form  of  rural  life  almost 
peculiar  to  the  true  Virginia  home.  It  was  the  pleasure 
and  pride  of  other  proprietors  besides  Colonel  McDowell 
that  they  lived  on  land  wThich  had  never  been  bought  or 
sold,  and  that  in  sixty  years  no  negro  had  been  trans- 
ferred to  another  owner.  Each  plantation  was  a  little 
kingdom,  producing  within  its  own  limits  every  thing 
needed  except  groceries  and  fine  cloths,  which  were 
brought  from  Richmond  in  the  wagons  that  carried  the 
harvest  of  flour  and  tobacco. 

The  central  portion  of  Virginia,  cradled  among  her 


MRS.   FREMONT.  431 

glorious  mountains,  where  lie  the  Sulphur  Springs,  the 
Hawk's  Nest,  the  Natural  Bridge,  and  other  wonders  of 
scenery — not  far  south  enough  for  the  operation  of  plant- 
ing interests,  was  the  region  where  the  old  ancestral 
pride  and  contempt  of  mere  moneyed  aristocracy  sub- 
sisted in  sternest  purity.  Its  farming,  rather  than  trad- 
ing or  planting  interest  was  first  broken  in  upon  after 
the  invention  of  the  cotton-gin,  which  revolutionized 
Southern  interests.  Among  the  leading  families,  such 
as  the  Randolphs,  "Wythes,  McDowells,  and  others,  a 
logical  head  and  clear  conscience  led  them  to  one  result 
on  the  question  they  had  to  meet  hourly  in  their  lives — 
that  of  slavery.  Most  of  them  did  not  believe  in  its 
continuance ;  some  went  further,  and  emancipated  their 
slaves  by  will ;  while  others  did  so  during  their  lives, 
giving  them  also  a  start  in  life,  while  they  could  lend 
them  a  helping  hand.  Of  this  latter  class  was  the 
mother  of  Mrs.  Fremont. 

In  those  days  there  was  a  classified,  sifted,  and  solidly 
established  order  of  society.  Everybody  and  everybody's 
family  was  known ;  and  "  pedigree  "  was  a  prized  quali- 
fication. It  has  been  lately  the  fashion  to  laugh  at  the 
phrase,  "  a  Virginia  gentleman,"  for  the  title  has  been 
usurped.  Then  simplicity  of  character,  good  faith, 
honesty  of  purpose,  loyalty  to  a  conviction,  a  liberal 
hospitality,  and  a  life  spent  in  the  honorable  discharge 
of  duties,  were  indispensable  traits.  Thackeray  has 
given  us  George  and  Henry  Esmond  as  types  of  the 
best  class  in  Virginia  society.  Could  he  have  painted  a 


432  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

loveable  woman,  he  might  have  given  the  feminine  side 
of  the  character.  But  Madame  Esmond  is  but  the  colo- 
nial English  woman,  losing  the  calmness  that  marked  the 
caste,  through  the  wear  and  tear  of  managing  ignorant 
servants  and  tenantry.  The  hospitality  so  often  men- 
tioned as  one  of  the  traditions,  was  never  ostentatious ; 
there  was  no  imposing  by  false  appearances,  and  no  sud- 
den increase  of  wealth ;  the  capital  of  the  residents 
being  in  land  and  crops.  Thus  there  was  a  solid  foun- 
dation for  prosperity  and  homely  abundance,  with  a 
frank  truthfulness  in  the  mode  of  life,  in  beautiful  con- 
trast to  the  often  deceptive  display  in  commercial  com- 
munities. A  temporary  show  of  splendor,  at  the  cost  of 
real  inconvenience,  would  have  been  regarded  by  the 
staid,  honest  inhabitants  as  a  kind  of  forgery,  for  the 
purposes  of  an  adventurer.  Travelers  who  came  even 
from  the  South,  in  their  old-fashioned  massive  carriages, 
drawn  by  two  or  four  horses,  and  attended  by  mounted 
servants,  would  stop  at  any  plantation  in  perfect  assu- 
rance of  a  welcome,  with  no  other  introduction  than  the 
name  of  a  mutual  friend.  Northern  travelers  usually 
took  the  mail-coaches  by  the  day,  with  relays  of  horses 
every  ten  miles,  stopping  where  they  pleased.  This 
posting  was  called  "  taking  the  accommodation  line.'1 
Eichmond  was  the  little  London  of  that  provincial 
world,  and  pleasant  circles  were  there  formed  to  meet 
with  accession  of  gayeties  at  their  Saratoga,  the  White 
Sulphur  Springs. 

Colonel  Benton's  family  was  also  of  English  extrac 


MRS.   FREMONT.  433 

tion  and  Virginian  birth.  His  maternal  grandfather 
was  the  younger  brother  of  the  Sir  William  Gooch  who 
was  deputy  governor  of  Yirginia  under  Lord  Dunrnore. 
This  younger  brother  died  a  few  months  before  the  elder, 
missing  the  inheritance  of  the  title  and  estate  in  Nor- 
thumberland. His  daughter,  Anne  Gooch,  was  married 
to  Jesse  Benton,  at  the  house  of  her  maternal  uncle, 
Colonel  Hart — the  father-in-law  of  Henry  Clay.  Her 
son  was  named  for  that  uncle,  who  had  been  her  guar- 
dian during  her  long  orphanage.  In  the  early  records 
of  Kentucky,  her  husband's  name  occurs  as  one  of  a 
surveying  party  of  sixteen  who  explored  that  State.  He 
had  the  tastes  and  education  of  a  scholar,  but  the  break- 
ing up  of  the  colonial  governorship  in  North  Carolina 
changed  his  plan  of  life.  He  was  private  secretary  to 
Governor  Tryon,  whose  chaplain  was  his  intimate  friend, 
and  his  widow's,  when  she  was  left  at  thirty-one  with  a 
family  of  eight  children,  the  eldest,  Thomas,  only  eight 
years  of  age.  The  great  Senator  often  spoke  of  this 
friend's  taking  him  by  the  hand  when  coming  out  of  the 
church,  leading  him  home  through  the  grove,  and  read- 
ing aloud  from  the  Greek  Testament — translating  as  he 
read — and  telling  the  boy  he  must  be  a  classical  scholar, 
as  his  father  had  been.  The  boy's  course  of  study  was 
planned  by  him  and  the  mother,  who  was  a  woman  of 
rare  mental  endowments  and  force  of  character. 

It  should  be  mentioned  that  the  Harts  had  married 
into  the  Preston  family,  one  of  the  largest  and  wealthiest 
in  the  State,  and  so  enlarged  by  marriages  into  other 

19 


434  QUEENS  OF  AMEEICAN  SOCIETY. 

distinguished  families,  that  the  subject  of  our  sketch 
finds  herself  somehow  related  to  half  Yirginia.  In  neai 
connection  by  birth  and  marriage  were  the  families  of 
the  Campbells  and  Patrick  Henry;  of  the  Marshalls 
the  Randolphs,  the  Madisons,  the  Daniels,  the  Peytons, 
the  Floyds,  the  Breckenridges,  the  Hamptons,  the  Car 
ringtons,  Harts,  &c.  These  were  all  people  of  large 
property  and  kindred  tastes.  It  was  a  custom  with 
them  to  send  the  eldest  son  on  a  four  years'  tour  in 
Europe,  accompanied  by  a  clergyman  as  tutor. 

Henrietta  Preston,  the  sister  of  William  Preston  of 
Kentucky,  was  a  favorite  cousin  of  Mrs.  Ben  ton's.  She 
became  the  wife  of  General  Albert  Sidney  Johnston. 
Mrs.  Benton's  aunt  married  one  of  the  Madisons.  The 
sisters  of  William  C.  Preston  of  South  Carolina  were 
beautiful  women,  much  admired  in  society.  Margaret, 
the  youngest,  was  the  wife  of  General  Wade  Hampton. 
Their  son,  Frank  Preston  Hampton,  was  killed  in  the 
late  war. 

Such  were  the  ancestors  and  relations  of  Miss  Jessie 
Benton,  who,  passing  her  early  years  in  the  settlement 
described,  and  familiar  with  the  beautiful,  scenery  sur- 
rounding her  birth-place,  where  four  generations  of  culti- 
vation had  spared  the  time-honored  oaks  of  the  primeval 
forest,  remembers  no  rural  picture  with  greater  delight. 
At  that  period,  the  intermarriages  of  the  Richmond 
families  with  those  of  the  southern  portion  of  the  State, 
had  softened  the  rigid  sternness  of  manners  formerly 
prevalent,  leaving  undistorted  the  clean  lines  of  right 


MRS.   FREMONT.  435 

and  wrong,  with  which  no  effacing  of  boundaries  was 
allowed.  Mr.  Benton  kept  his  family  in  Washington 
every  winter.  The  journey  to  St.  Louis  requiring  three 
or  four  weeks,  it  was  only  taken  at  the  close  of  the  short 
sessions,  when  they  could  spend  the  time  from  March  to 
November  in  their  Western  home.  From  March  to 
May  they  were  sometimes  in  New  Orleans,  where  Mr. 
Benton  had  many  clients  among  the  old  French  and 
Spanish  landholders.  That  city  was  a  provincial  Paris, 
far  removed  from  the  social  laws  that  governed  the 
Virginians.  Its  French  language,  usages,  and  cdstumes, 
its  Eoman  Catholic  churches,  its  Sunday  theatres  and 
places  of  amusement,  were  themes  of  serious  discussion 
and  apprehension,  on  the  score  of  danger  to  the  children, 
among  the  old-fashioned  relatives  in  Yirginia.  The 
changes  of  moral  atmosphere,  with  the  travel  to  and  fro 
through  the  liberal  and  growing  West,  the  polished  and 
luxurious  life  of  the  Crescent  City,  with  the  varied 
experiences  of  Washington,  where  Europe  as  well  as  the 
United  States  was  represented,  no  doubt  contributed  to 
enlarge  the  ideas  of  the  young  people,  and  teach  them  a 
more  liberal  judgment  than  usually  belongs  to  a  puritan- 
ical and  secluded  community.  Mrs.  Benton's  winter 
circles  in  Washington  were  composed  of  the  most  distin- 
guished persons  in  the  Capital.  Chief  Justice  Marshall, 
Mr.  Kandolph,  Chief  Justice  Taney,  Mr.  Mason  of  North 
Carolina,  Mr.  Archer,  Mr.  Yan  Biiren,  all,  in  fact,  who 
were  worth  knowing,  with  her  own  relatives,  formed  her 
brilliant  coteries,  which  were  really  as  historical  as  the 


436  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

most  famous  ones  of  French  princesses.  The  youthful 
Jessie  was  often  a  listener  to  social  and  political  discus- 
sions, by  which  unconsciously  her  opinions  were  shaped. 
The  time-stained  journal  of  her  cousin,  William  C.  Pres- 
ton, kept  during  his  tour  abroad,  and  describing  his  stay 
as  a  guest  at  Abbottsford,  &c.,  was  eagerly  read  by  her, 
and  gave  her  the  first  actual  impression  of  Scott's  human 
existence.  "  Ivanhoe  "  was  her  first  novel.  Her  studies 
were  planned  and  superintended  by  her  father,  and 
aided  by  the  splendid  library  which  had  been  collected 
by  her  grandfather  Ben  ton.  It  was  well  selected,  and 
rich  not  only  in  Latin,  Greek,  and  English  authors,  but 
French.  Jessie  read  her  Shakspeare  and  Sevigne  from 
the  volumes  read  in  the  family  in  the  days  of  the  colo- 
nies. She  learned  to  speak  French  in  infancy  from  a 
French  nurse,  Mrs.  Benton  employing  whites  after  giving 
freedom  to  her  slaves.  Her  society  experiences  may  be 
said  to  have  commenced  in  early  childhood.  She  was  at 
a  ball,  with  fire-works,  given  at  the  Russian  Embassy, 
when  she  was  ten  years  old,  having  been  invited  par- 
ticularly because  she  could  speak  French  and  Spanish. 
English  was  not  then  generally  understood  by  foreigners 
in  Washington.  Her  first  State  dinner  party  was  at  the 
Presidential  mansion,  when  she  was  not  quite  thirteen  ; 
Mr.  Yan  Buren  having  collected  a  number  of  young 
girls  and  boys  to  introduce  to  his  son,  Smith  Yan  Buren. 
At  fifteen,  Miss  Benton  was  first  bridesmaid  to  Madame 
Bodisco,  a  bride  only  a  year  her  senior,  while  the  bride- 
groom was  over  sixty.  The  partners  were  distributed  on 


MES.   FREMONT.  437 

the  same  plan ;  Mr.  Buchanan,  then  Secretary  of  State, 
being  assigned  to  Miss  Benton.  This  wedding  was  fol- 
lowed by  dinners  and  balls  at  all  the  principal  houses  in 
Washington,  from  the  White  House  through  the  diplo- 
matic corps.  The  marriage  caused  a  wide  sensation. 
Madame  Bodiseo  became  a  great  favorite  with  the  Em- 
peror Nicholas. 

Miss  Benton  was  married  to  Mr.  John  C.  Fremont, 
then  Second  Lieutenant  of  Engineers,  in  October,  1841. 
She  did  not,  however,  quit  the  delightful  home  of  her 
family  till  eight  years  afterwards,  her  husband  being 
often  absent  on  long  and  dangerous  expeditions.  The 
record  of  Fremont's  life  and  services  is  part  of  the 
country's  history,  and  even  the  share  in  his  labors  taken 
by  his  wife,  who  was  his  private  secretary  and  amanuen- 
sis, cannot  be  here  adequately  described.  She  would  go 
to  meet  him  at  the  frontier,  in  the  country  of  the  Dela- 
ware Indians,  at  the  times  appointed  for  his  return, 
joining  him  sometimes  in  a  tent,  or  a  log  cabin,  and  in 
various  scenes  of  Western  adventure.  Familiar  with 
almost  every  shade  and  grade  of  society,  she  has  said 
that  she  found  "as  much  grace  of  hospitality,  though 
necessarily  not  of  outward  show,  in  a  log  cabin  of  the 
prairies,  or  a  farrn-house  on  a  California  ranche,  as  in  the 
Faubourg  Saint  Germain,  or  at  a  prince's  of  the  Bona- 
parte blood,  or  in  the  refined  home  of  an  English  gentle- 
man." At  her  dinner-table  Delaware  chiefs,  in  courtesy 
and  deference  to  others,  have  rivaled  the  high-bred  ease 
of  men  accustomed  to  the  elegant  culture  of  the  best 


438  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN"  SOCIETY. 

society.  "  A  Mormon  elder  of  much  power  and  many 
wives  "  has  been  her  guest,  and  she  has  entertained,  and 
been  entertained,  as  a  friend  remarked,  "  through  not 
only  the  gamut  but  the  chromatic  scale  of  society." 

General  Fremont's  first  expedition  to  the  Eocky 
Mountains  terminated  in  October,  1842.  His  second, 
beyond  that  barrier,  was  accomplished  in  July,  1843. 
He  arrived  in  the  Yalley  of  the  Sacramento  in  May, 
1846.  There  was  imminent  danger  of  the  subjection  of. 
California  to  British  protection,  for  during  two  centuries 
England  had  had  her  eye  on  that  rich  province,  and  now 
expected  to  seize  it  in  the  Mexican  war  then  approach- 
ing. At  the  critical  moment,  General  Fremont  snatched 
the  possession  from  the  hands  of  Admiral  Seymour, 
already  stretched  out  to  clutch  it,  and  conquered  the 
country,  securing  it  forever  to  the  United  States.  The 
result  of  this  service  was  Mrs.  Fremont's  first  experience 
in  the  agreeable  flatteries  of  society.  The  Government 
was  pleased  at  the  acquisition  of  a  new  territory  without 
the  cost  of  a  war,  and  pleased  with  the  man  who  had 
taken  it  on  his  own  responsibility.  In  Washington  Mrs. 
.  Fremont  received  the  tokens  of  this  satisfaction — com- 
plimentary letters,  the  honored  seat  at  dinners,  from  the 
President's  house  through  the  circle,  &c.  Then  followed 
the  quarrel  between  the  land  and  water  forces  in  Califor- 
nia, which  turned  the  class  feeling  of  the  army  against 
Fremont,  causing  animosities  and  duels;  till  he  came 
home  to  be  subjected  to  a  trial  by  court-martial.  Ee- 
signing  his  place,  he  went  overland  in  the  winter  to 


MRS.  FE£MONT.  439 

California,  where  lie  had  invested  money  in  lands  that 
now  formed  a  magnificent  estate.  Mrs.  Fremont  fol- 
lowed him  in  March,  but  was  detained  seven  weeks  on 
the  Isthmus  of  Panama  by  the  want  of  a  connecting 
steamer,  and  suffered  severely  from  her  experience  of 
the  tropics.  She  was  hospitably  received  and  attended 
by  the  family  of  General  Herran,  the  minister  from  New 
Grenada,  whom  she  had  known  in  Washington  ;  and  on 
her  return  in  the  following  year,  when  detained  a  month 
by  illness,  she  was  again  received  by  them  with  the 
same  large  hospitality. 

The  fourth  expedition  to  California  was  commenced 
in  October,  1848.  General  Fremont  wished  to  prepare 
for  the  reception  of  his  family.  Mrs.  Fremont  accompa- 
nied him  as  far  as  a  Government  post  in  Kansas,  just 
out  of  Missouri.  She  remained  here  five  or  six  weeks, 
and  spent  the  days  at  her  husband's  encampment,  her 
lodging  being  at  the  house  of  the  Indian  agent.  A  vast 
wilderness  thence  stretched  westward,  beyond  the  ad- 
vancing march  of  civilization. 

In  California,  in  the  rough  days  of  1849,  when  there 
was  gold  and  nothing  else  in  the  land,  Mrs.  Fremont 
found  a  new  experience.  Society  had  no  existence,  and 
men  were  released  from  all  forms  and  obligations  except 
such  as  individual  conscience  might  impose.  Her  expe- 
rience confirmed  her  father's  judgment,  that  there  was 
more  good  than  evil  in  human  nature.  Especially  had 
she  reason  to  be  corvinced  of  that  native  refinement  and 
goodness  of  American  men,  which  is  so  continually  the 


44:0  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

subject  of  astonishment  to  foreigners  traveling  in  this 
country. 

The  residence  of  Mrs.  Fremont  in  California  was  at 
Monterey.  Gold  was  not  yet  abundant,  and  the  fullest 
tide  of  emigration  had  not  set  in.  Provisions  were 
usually  obtained  from  the  Sandwich  Islands.  Her  only 
assistant  in  domestic  labors  was  an  English  woman  who 
had  emigrated  from  Sidney.  The  liberal  hospitality 
exercised  in  her  house  with  such  limited  help  excited 
the  wonder  of  the  residents.  The  convention  for  making 
a  constitution  for  the  State  of  California  sat  at  Monterey, 
and  many  interests  favored  the  introduction  of  slavery. 
No  servants  could  be  had  where  labor  was  so  highly 
paid  in  other  branches.  The  mines  could  not  be  worked 
at  the  tremendous  price  and  uncertainty  of  labor ;  and 
to  the  owners  it  was  the  difference  between  vast  fortunes 
and  slow  and  precarious  returns  for  certain  and  great 
expenditures.  There  was  hesitation  in  the  decision  of 
the  convention.  Mrs.  Fremont  had  the  pleasure  of  being 
assured  that  the  practical  evidence  of  her  example  con- 
vinced many  that  home  comfort  and  a  liberal  and  cheer 
ful  hospitality  were  possible  without  servants.  Her 
experience  was  within  the  sight  and  knowledge  of  those 
voting  on  the  question,  and  largely  aided  in  the  decision 
for  freedom  in  California. 

Mrs.  Fremont  had  her  full  share  in  the  adventure  of 
Western  life.  At  one  time,  for  six  weeks  she  was  not 
once  in  a  house — sleeping  in  a  traveling  carriage,  and 
moving  about  during  the  day.  When  lumps  of  gold  and 


-i^MYo 


MRS.   FREMONT.  441 

bags  of  gold-dust  were  brought  down  from  the  moun- 
tains, there  was  no  place  for  their  deposit  but  under  the 
carriage-seat,  or  in  her  trunks  at  Monterey.  Some 
Spaniards  from  Sonora,  who  were  working  for  General 
Fremont,  received  half  the  gold  for  their  labors.  Twenty 
of  them  wished  to  return  to  Souora,  and  wrote  to  ask  for 
their  proportion.  Mr.  Fremont  was  at  San  Francisco, 
and  could  not  conveniently  go  to  Monterey ;  but  sent  an 
Indian  with  the  key  of  the  trunk — three  days'  journey 
by  land — directing  the  Spaniards  to  open  it,  weigh  out 
their  part  of  the  gold,  and  send  back  the  key.  This  was 
done  with  perfect  accuracy,  not  an  ounce  of  the  gold 
being  taken  beyond  their  share. 

The  name  of  General  Fremont  is  enrolled  among  the 
most  eminent  explorers  and  geographers.  When  he 
returned  to  the  east,  it  was  with  his  share  of  the  wealth 
of  the  new  State  he  had  first  explored,  and  with  political 
power,  he  having  been  chosen  its  first  Senator.  Of  his 
years  of  trial  and  triumph,  Mrs.  Fremont  could  say,  "All 
which  I  saw,  and  part  of  which  I  was."  The  negotia- 
tions to  which  his  proprietorship  of  the  Mariposas  prop 
erty  gave  rise,  took  him  to  Europe  in  the  spring  of  1852. 
His  fame  preceded  him,  and  both  he  and  Mrs.  Fremont 
had  a  most  flattering  reception  from  men  eminent  in 
science  and  letters.  They  spent  a  year  of  unbroken 
content  in  Paris.  At  the  English  Court  they  were  in 
the  privileged  list,  including  the  diplomatic  corps,  on 
account  of  General  Fremont's  position  at  home,  and  his 
being  one  of  the  medalists  of  the  Eoyal  Geographical 
19* 


442  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Society.  The  medals  are  not  given  for  services  to  gov 
ernment,  but  for  expeditions  conducted-  at  private  cost, 
involving  sacrifices.  For  subsequent  expeditions,  Fre- 
mont received  Austrian  and  Prussian  medals  and  di- 
plomas. 

The  death  of  Mrs.  Fremont's  only  brother  shortened 
their  stay  in  London.  Among  other  gratifications,  they 
lost  that  of  being  present  at  the  last  dinner  given  in 
honor  of  the  birthday  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  to 
which  they  were  invited  by  Miss  Coutts.  The  Duke 
always  dined  with  her  that  day,  selecting  his  own  com- 
pany. His  death  soon  followed  this  celebration,  at 
which  some  of  the  royal  family  were  present. 

In  Paris,  Mrs.  Fremont  saw  the  eagles  of  the  Empire 
restored  to  the  flags  of  the  troops  at  the  great  review  in 
the  Champ  de  Mars,  on  the  10th  of  May,  1853.  This 
was  the  era  of  the  Republic  headed  by  a  President,  and 
few  anticipated  the  restoration  of  the  Empire.  She 
witnessed  its  proclamation,  however,  on  the  2d  of  Decem- 
ber of  the  same  year ;  and  admired  the  brave  daring 
with  which  the  new  Emperor  performed  his  part.  A 
solitary  figure  passing  on  horseback  through  the  crowded 
streets — no  one  within  at  least  forty  paces — holding  his 
chapeau  in  his  right  hand,  his  breast  and  throat  exposed 
to  any  deadly  ball,  his  head  bared  and  bending  in 
acknowledgment  of  the  popular  greeting — his  confidence 
in  the  people  could  not  fail  to  inspire  respect.  Mrs. 
Fremont  saw  the  Imperial  nuptials,  and  had  tickets  for 
reserved  places  in  all  the  fetes  succeeding.  The  pictu- 


MRS.   FREMONT.  443 

^esque  aspect  of  the  new  court  interested  her,  but  she 
preferred  the  genuine  royalty  of  "  that  dingy  St.  James." 
During  the  two  hours  she  stood  in  the  throne-room  of 
that  palace,  a  gallery  of  striking  portraits  was  photo- 
graphed on  her  mind.  Nowhere  is  the  beauty  of  noble 
English  women  excelled.  Its  expression  of  wholesome 
truth  and  unaffected  goodness,  with  simplicity  and. dig- 
nity of  manner,  was  most  impressive  to  one  who  had 
been  nurtured  in  the  midst  of  English  ideas,  literature, 
and  home  ways,  and  saw  all  at  the  fountain-head.  Near 
Mrs.  Fremont  stood  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  with  Mr. 
Gladstone,  then  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer,  and  on 
the  wall  above  them  hung  a  large  picture  of  the  battle 
of  Waterloo ;  while  at  the  head  of  the  line  of  ladies 
belonging  to  the  diplomatic  corps  stood  the  Countess 
Walewski,  representing  France  as  ambassadress  of  the 
empire  of  another  Napoleon.  The  pearls  she  wore  were 
the  famous  Cis-alpine  pearls,  which  cost  poor  Josephine 
so  dear ;  this  association,  with  the  wonderful  resemblance 
of  Count  Walewski  to  his  imperial  father,  added  to  the 
effect  of  the  historical  grouping. 

After  their  return  to  America,  Mrs.  Fremont  re- 
mained in  Washington  while  her  husband  made  an 
overland  winter  journey  to  California.  Then  came  the 
political  campaign  of  1856,  when  General  Fremont 
accepted  the  republican  nomination  for  the  Presidency ; 
and  his  wife  became  severed  from  her  past  life,  and  asso- 
ciations linked  to  her  by  birth  and  education.  It  was  a 
painful  sacrifice  to  feel  the  alienation  of  valued  friends ; 


444  QUEEN'S  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

but  she  accepted  the  trial  with  regret,  sympathizing 
cordially  in  the  plans  of  her  husband,  acting  as  his 
secretary,  and  aiding  him  by  counsel  as  well  as  co-opera- 
tion. 

She  was  again  in  Paris  in  1857,  having  had  the  large 
experiences  of  a  political  revolution,  which  made  her 
even  a  more  appreciative  listener  than  before  to  one  of 
her  friends — the  Count  de  la  Garde,  who  had  lived  from 
childhood  within  court  circles — the  courts  which  made 
the  history  of  Europe  from  the  French  Revolution  to  the 
present  empire.  He  was  naturally  pleased  to  talk  over 
such  a  life  with  a  listener  so  deeply  interested.  He  left 
her  a  collection  of  souvenirs  of  the  Bonaparte  family ; 
the  central  figure  Queen  Hortense,  whom  he  had  known 
longest,  their  musical  taste  bringing  them  into  constant 
correspondence.  The  album  is  a  curious  and  valuable 
historical  relic.  It  opens  with  a  rare  and  exquisite  min- 
iature on  ivory,  by  Isabey,  of  the  first  Napoleon,  taken 
in  1804,  in  the  uniform  of  the  Old  Guard.  It  was  his 
love-gift  to  Josephine.  The  book  contains  other  por- 
traits in  water-color,  engravings,  and  lithographs,  of 
Josephine,  Hortense,  the  Marquis  de  Beauharnais,  Prince 
Eugene,  &c.,  with  autograph  letters  from  these  and 
others  related  to  the  Bonapartes,  original  drawings  and 
water-color  sketches  by  Hortense,  and  music  composed 
and  written  out  by  her.  Among  her  letters  is  one  to  the 
Count,  illustrating  her  heart  as  well  as  her  mind,  written 
as  it  was  after  such  a  tremendous  reverse  of  fortune.  It 
shows  no  bitterness  or  repining — only  a  certain  gentle 


MRS.   FREMONT.  445 

philosophy  in  recognizing  society's  estimate  of  a  woman 
in  power  and  out  of  power.  I  give  an  extract,  printed 
as  the  original  is  written : — 

"  en  arrivant  chez  raoi,  je  trouve  votre  nouvelle  romance  monsieur 
le  Compte,  elle  est  bien  jolie,  et  si  je  suis  deja  habituee  aux  choses 
aimables  de  votre  part,  je  n'en  suis  pas  moins  etonne"e  de  la  promp- 
titude avec  laquelle  vous  faites  de  si  jolis  vers.  On  a  un  peu  changfc 
ma  devise  en  vous  la  donnant,  moins  connue  moins  troublee,  est 
celle  que  j'avais  prise  depuis  bien  longtems,  elle  convient  tant  a 
une  femme !  dans  des  temps  plus  brillants  des  amis  y  avoient 
ajoute  mieux  connue  mieux  aimee  c'est  qu'ils  connoissaient  tonte 
mon  ambition  et  voulaient  me  persuader  que  je  possedais  ce  que 
j'envias  le  plus,  ils  ne  le  pensent  peut-etre  plus  a  present?  c'est 
done  la  premiere  devise  qui  seule  pent  me  convenir. 

******** 
"Augsbourg  ce  8  juin  1819.  (signed)        hortense."* 

General  Fremont  had  made  arrangements  in  Paris 
to  reside  there  with  his  family  for  some  years ;  but  the 
scheme  was  given  up  when  impending  war  demanded 
his  services  at  home.  His  California  property  was  sold. 

*  TRANSLATION. — "  On  returning  home,  I  find  your  new  song,  Mon- 
sieur le  Comte.  It  is  very  beautiful,  and  although  I  am  accustomed  to 
these  graceful  acts  of  yours,  I  am  not  the  less  astonished  by  the  rapidity 
•with  which  you  make  such  lovely  verses.  My  device  has  been  somewhat 
altered  by  those  who  gave  it  to  you.  '  Less  known,  less  troubled^  is  the  one 
I  had  chosen  very  long  ago — it  suits  a  woman  so  well  I  In  more  brilliant 
times,  friends  had  added,  '  Better  known,  letter  loved?  this  they  did,  know- 
ing my  chief  ambition,  and  wishing  to  convince  me  that  I  possessed  w  nat 
I  most  desired.  Perhaps  now  they  no  longer  think  so ;  only  the  first 
therefore  can  be  suitable  to  me. 

******** 

"  (Signed)  HOBTENSE. 

"Dated  Augsbourg,  the  8th  of  June,  1819.  Addressed  to  Monsieur 
le  Comte  de  la  Garde  Messeull,  at  Munich." 


446  'QUEENS  OF  AMEKICAN  SOCIETY. 

During  the  war,  the  city  of  St.  Louis  was  for  a  time  thu 
home  of  his  family.  They  now  reside  in  New  York.  In 
her  beautiful  country-seat  on  the  Hudson — "Po-ca-ho" 
(the  old  Indian  name),  near  Tarrytown,  Mrs.  Fremont 
has  found  congenial  rest.  The  neighborhood  has  been 
described  in  the  sketch  of  Mrs.  Beekman.  The  region 
is  associated  with  recollections  of  the  manorial  lords  of 
colonial  days,  of  wild  adventures  during  the  Revolution- 
ary struggle,  of  quaint  Dutch  customs  and  curious  tra- 
ditions, some  immortalized  by  the  pen  of  Washington 
Irving. 

Political  life  has  never  been  the  choice  or  the  ainbi- 
tion  of  Mrs.  Fremont;  her  preference  has  always  been 
to  live  apart  from  it.  The  care  and  education  of  her 
children,  who  received  all  their  instruction  at  home, 
more  agreeably  absorbed  her  attention.  The  cultivation 
of  music  was  a  part  of  her  domestic  life ;  all  her  children 
possessing  musical  talent.  Flowers  have  always  been 
her  especial  delight.  A  thorough  system  of  reading  has 
been  pursued  by  the  younger  members  of  the  household 
under  her  direction,  and  a  splendid  collection  of  rare 
books  facilitated  their  studies.  The  library  contains  the 
greater  part  of  Humboldt's  among  its  treasures ;  with 
his  diplomas,  the  signatures  to  which  comprise  the  auto- 
graphs of  the  distinguished  literary  and  scientific  men, 
and  most  of  the  sovereigns,  in  the  civilized  world,  who 
have  lived  within  sixty  years.-  All  the  standard  works, 
with  others  rare  and  valuable,  some  filled  with  annota- 
tions, are  included.  Mrs.  Fremont  has  been  the  teacher 


MRS.   FREMONT.  447 

of  her  daughter,  who  is  accomplished  in  several  modern 
languages,  as  well  as  in  the  other  branches  of  a  finished 
education.  All  these  home  employments  have  not  been 
incompatible  with  energetic  labors  in  the  cause  of 
charity.  Mrs.  Fremont  is  one  of  the  active  managers  of 
the  "  Nursery  and  Child's  Hospital,"  and  of  "  The  Sol- 
diers' Orphan  Home,"  of  which  association  Mrs.  Grant 
is  President.  She  has  been  an  efficient  co-worker  in  the 
management  of  the  "  Ladies'  Southern  Belief  Associa- 
tion." At  her  request  to  Congress,  a  ship  was  granted 
to  convey  the  supplies  to  Charleston  and  other  South- 
ern ports.  In  her  benevolent  efforts,  Mrs.  Fremont 
obtains  sympathy  and  aid  from  many  with  whom  she 
has  been  associated  in  past  years;  for  even  political 
opponents  remember  her  with  respect  and  esteem.  If  in 
a  railway  station  she  has  a  moment  of  recognition  and 
greeting  from  some  statesman  who  has  influenced  the 
country's  destiny,  she  is  in  no  way  surprised  to  receive 
afterwards  a  long  letter  from  him  referring  to  past 
events  and  the  actors  therein.  She  might  go,  with  cer- 
tainty of  welcome,  to  homes  in  every  State  of  the  Union, 
and  nearly  every  country  in  Europe. 

The  anxieties  and  trials — transcending  woman's 
strength  to  bear-^-endured  by  Mrs.  Fremont  in  the  early 
part  of  the  war,  left  their  record  on  her  luxuriant  hair, 
which  in  a  few  days  changed  from  glossy  brown  to 
silvery  whiteness.  The  curious  change  was  so  sudden, 
her  acquaintances  thought  she  had  covered  her  head 
with  powder,  and  some  did  not  recognize  her.  The 


448  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

blanched  locks  do  not  match  her  fresh  and  blooming 
face ;  but  Mrs.  Fremont  prefers  to  wear  her  gray  hair, 
regarding  its  hue  as  the  sacred  scars  of  a  veteran. 

Yery  few  women  in  the  United  States  have  equaled 
Mrs.  Fremont  in  brilliancy  of  conversation.  Almost  at 
all  times  her  talk  is  sparkling — flashing,  it  may  be  said — 
with  lively  wit  and  picturesque  illustration ;  ornament 
as  unstudied,  withal,  as  the  play  of  a  sunlit  fountain. 
Her  witticisms  are  continually  repeated  in  society.  It 
is  the  great  charm  of  her  humor  and  repartee,  that  they 
are  perfectly  spontaneous.  In  this  kind  of  splendor  she 
resembles  William  C.  Preston,  only  her  sarcasm  is  ever 
playful  and  good-humored.  Had  she  been  an.  orator,  she 
would  have  beguiled  "attent  ears"  with  rich  eloquence, 
and  carried  captive  the  judgment  by  the  vivid  force  of 
her  word-painting.  New  ideas  start  up  as  she  speaks 
upon  the  most  ordinary  topic,  and  her  fancy  gives  a  fresh 
coloring  to  all  things.  She  brings  the  stores  of  rare 
culture  to  enrich  the  lightest  social  gossip ;  but  does  it 
without  effort  or  even  consciousness.  Her  appearance 
and  manner  are  those  usually  thought  distinctive  of  an 
English  woman,  and  strikingly  like  those  of  her  father. 
Her  form  is  rather  above  the  ordinary  height,  splendidly 
proportioned,  and  her  face  is  very  handsome  and  full  of 
intellectual  expression  ;  always  lighted  up  with  the  glow 
of  a  bright  spirit  and  the  benevolence  of  a  generous 
heart. 


MRS.   HILLS.  449 


XXII. 

MRS.  HENRY  "W.  HILLS  has  long  been  celebrated  in 
the  society  of  New  Tork  for  her  rare  musical  attain- 
ments. She  was  Margaret  Shellman;  her  mother,  a 
Virginian  of  Huguenot  descent.  The  daughter  was 
born  in  Savannah,  Georgia,  where  she  continued  to 
reside  for  twelve  years  after  her  early  marriage.  Her 
uncommon  musical  talents  were  displayed  from  child- 
hood ;  at  twelve  she  began  to  improvise,  and  composed 
waltzes,  which  were  printed  by  her  master;  and  from 
that  time  it  has  been  her  habit  to  express  in  music  not 
only  the  emotions  of  her  own  heart,  but  current  events 
of  public  or  national  interest.  The  poetess,  Lydia  Maria 
Child,  when  a  young  lady,  was  invited  to  hear  Mrs. 
Hills  play.  She  had  never  been  able  to  appreciate 
or  enjoy  music,  and  fancied  herself  deficient  in  the 
faculty.  But  the  brilliant  touch  and  expression  of  Mrs. 
Hills  awakened  in  her  the  sense  of  melody.  In  grati- 
tude for  the  new-born  joy,  she  addressed  to  the  en- 
chantress some  impromptu  verses,  beginning,  "  Thanks, 
Orpheus,  thanks ;"  expressive  of  her  feelings.  Mrs. 
Osgood  wrote  these  impromptu  lines  on  hearing  Mrs. 
Hills'  exquisite  performance  on  the  piano,  in  1841 : — 


450  QUEENS   OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

"Of  old  the  enchanted  lyre, 

'Neath  Orpheus'  touch  of  fire, 
Could  charm,  'tis  said,  the  very  hills  to  joy; 

Could  Orpheus  come  again, 

The  Hilte  in  magic  strain 
"Would  now  in  turn  bewitch  and  well  reward  the  boy." 

Mrs.  Hills  has  lived  many  years  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  where  her  morning  receptions  were  noted  several 
years  ago.  This  mode  of  entertainment  was  said  to  have 
been  introduced,  among  the  earliest,  by  Mrs.  Girard,  the 
eldest  daughter  of  Governor  Sumner,  of  Boston.  The 
letters  of  Mrs.  Hills,  published  in  the  Home  Journal, 
contained  excellent  strictures  on  fashion  and  dress,  and 
were  extensively  quoted.  She  described  facetiously  the 
competition  of  display  among  ladies  who  dressed  for  each 
other,  in  rivalry  or  emulation.  But  her  great  "  mission" 
was  the  cultivation  of  music,  and  the  promotion  of  a 
taste  for  the  best  and  highest  in  the  art.  K  P.  Willis 
wrote  to  her,  in  1864:  "I  envy  Gottschalk  his  being 
within  reach  of  your  ears  and  finger  ends ;  you  think 
aloud  so  deliciously."— "  What  happiness  your  harmony 
of  soul  and  fingers  might  give !" 

Unvisited  in  early  years  by  affliction,  and  endowed 
with  a  gift  in  art  which  beautified  all  around  her,  Mrs. 
Hills'  life  passed  joyously  as  a  bird's.  The  fount  was 
always  flowing;  every  emotion  gushed  out  in  music. 
Her  improvisation  especially  breathed  airs  that  expressed 
her  feelings.  Her  Lament  for  the  loss  of  the  Arctic  ut- 
tered the  very  soul  of  tender  sympathy  and  dolor.  Mel- 
ody is,  in  truth,  the  voice  of  her  heart.  This  intense 


MES.    HILLS.  451 

love  of  the  art  has  had  its  beneficial  effect  among  her 
acquaintances,  and  its  influence  can  hardly  be  measured. 
It  pervades  Mrs.  Hills'  life  so  thoroughly  that  the  ordi- 
nary pleasures  of  society  have  scarcely  a  charm  for  her, 
separated  from  the  progress  of  music.  She  often  super- 
intends and  directs  concerts  given  in  aid  of  charities. 
Several  have  been  given  under  her  auspices  at  Dr. 
Ward's  private  theatre,  in  New  York,  which  he  opene 
for  charities  every  Easter  week. 

The  daughter  of  Mrs.  Hills,  Mrs.  John  Schermer- 
horn,  inherited  her  talent  in  music.  Gottschalk  was 
delighted  with  her  playing  of  his  compositions.  Mrs. 
Hills'  grand-daughter,  Miss  Minnie  Parker,  has  not 
only  the  family  gift  in  instrumental  music,  but  a  voice 
of  rare  sweetness  and  power.  She  has  achieved  brilliant 
triumphs  in  her  singing  for  charities,  and  has  been 
praised  in  the  highest  terms  by  connoisseurs. 


Miss  Hetty  Carey,  of  Baltimore,  was  said  to  be  the 
most  beautiful  girl  in  Virginia  or  Maryland.  For  ten 
years  she  was  a  reigning  belle,  especially  noted  in  Kich- 
mond  society.  She  married  Major-General  Pegram,  of 
Richmond. 

Miss  Lillie  Hitchcock  was  celebrated  in  San  Fran- 
cisco for  brilliant  accomplishments  and  personal  graces. 
She  would  entertain  at  one  time  a  circle  of  twenty  gen- 
tlemen. She  now  resides  in  Paris,  having  married  Mr. 
Thornton. 


452  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

Mrs.  Harvey,  the  wife  of  the  Governor  of  Wisconsin, 
labored  in  hospitals  and  in  aid  of  soldiers  on  the  field,  in 
the  Southwest.  She  afterwards  took  some  "  orphans  of 
the  war"  from  Yicksburg,  and  established  a  Home  for 
them  in  Wisconsin,  which  is  under  her  superintend- 
ence. 

Another,  as  benevolent,  Margaret  Breckenridge,  the 
daughter  of  "  the  Ajax  of  orthodox  Christianity  in  the 
Southwest,"  was  educated  by  her  grandfather  at  Prince 
ton,  and  made  her  home  with  her  brother-in-law,  Colonel 
Porter,  of  Niagara.  Her  zeal  and  devotion  in  the  cause 
of  humanity  took  her  to  the  West  in  1862,  where  she 
gave  her  services  to  the  soldiers  in  the  hospitals. 

Mrs.  William  Schermerhorn  has  given  entertain- 
ments to  the  delight  of  the  fashionables  of  New  York. 
She  was  Miss  Cotinet,  and  was  remarkable  for  beauty 
and  grace,  and  for  the  elegance  of  her  reunions.  She 
gave  three  of  the  most  splendid  receptions  in  the  city  in 
the  winter  of  1867.  Her  famous  "  lal  costume  de  rigueur" 
illustrating  the  reign  of  Louis  XV.,  was  not,  as  was  said, 
the  first  fancy  ball  given ;  the  first,  or  one  of  the  first, 
was  given  about  1820,  by  Mrs.  Brugiere,  in  her  house 
near  the  Bowling  Green.  To  that  of  Mrs.  Schermer- 
horn six  hundred  guests  were  invited ;  all  of  whom  came 
dressed  in  the  prescribed  costume.  The  dresses,  exclu- 
sive of  jewelry,  were  said  to  have  cost  between  forty  and 
fifty  thousand  dollars ;  the  jewelry  over  half  a  million. 
The  servants  were  dressed  in  the  uniform  of  the  period. 

Mrs.  Hamilton  Fish,  the  wife  of  Governor  Fish,  who 


THE  NEW  YORK  MANAGER.  453 

was  Miss  Kane,  has  also  been  prominent  in  New  York 
society. 

In  New  York,  Mrs.  Auguste  Belmont  has  obtained  a 
celebrity  for  magnificent  parties,  attended  by  fashion- 
ables noted  for  gayety ;  and  the  same  may  be  said  of 
many  ladies  who  have  as  yet  no  history. 

Every  aristocratic  fete,  every  occasion  for  a  fashion- 
able assemblage  in  New  York,  has  been  for  some  years 
under  the  management  of  a  person  who  may  now  be 
called  historical,  on  that  account.  It  is  Brown — the 
portly  sexton  of  Grace  Church.  Happy,  fat,  and  sleek, 
with  easy  mien  he  salutes  the  belles  as  they  alight, 
amiably  conscious  that — 

"  Where  Brown  is  found, 
To  Fashion's  eye  is  hallowed  ground." 

The  poet  chronicler  of  a  midsummer  fete  given  at 
"  "Woodland  Hall,"  pn  Manhattan  Island,  thus  apostro- 
phized this  manager  of  entertainments : — 

"  Oh,  glorious  Brown  1  thou  medley  strange 
Of  churchyard,  ball-room,  saint  and  sinner ; 

Flying  hy  morn  through  Fashion's  range, 
And  burying  mortals  after  dinner ! 

Walking  one  day  with  invitations- 
Passing  the  next  at  consecrations ; 

Tossing  the  sod  at  eve  on  coffins ; 

With  one  hand  drying  tears  of  orphans, 

And  one  unclasping  ball-room  carriage, 

Or  cutting  plum-cake  up  for  marriage : 

Dusting  by  day  the  pew  and  missal ; 

Sounding  by  night  the  ball-room  whistle , 

Admitted  free  through  Fashion's  wicket, 

And  skilled  at  psalms,  at  punch,  and  cricket" 


454  QUEENS  OF   AMERICAN  SOCIETT. 

The  daughter  of  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy  remarked: 
u  Society  is  now  almost  entirely  engrossed  by  very  young 
people,  who  are  often  beautiful,  accomplished,  and  pleas- 
ing ;  but  there  are  no  queens  among  them."  It  would 
scarcely  interest  the  reader  to  have  a  mere  list  of  the 
names  of  the  present  leaders  of  fashionable  society  in 
Boston.  "Now  and  then  they  appear  in  newspapers  as 
patronesses  of  some  State  military  ball  or  charity  fes- 
tival ;  for  in  Boston,  as  in  ISTew  York,  public  entertain- 
ments are  greatly  in  favor  for  such  purposes.  The  same 
in  other  cities. 

It  may  be  seen  from  the  brief  history  given  in  the 
foregoing  pages,  that  the  ladies  most  prominent  in  fash- 
ionable life — from  the  Republic's  early  days  to  the  pres- 
ent time — have  been  noticeable  for  more  than  merely 
frivolous  distinctions.  They  have  been  women  of  supe- 
rior mind  and  culture.  This  intellectual  element,  with 
the  benevolent  activity  and  moral  worth  of  our  leaders, 
has  given  an  elevated  tone  to  the  best  society  in  New 
York,  of  which  the  country  may  be  justly  proud.  This 
should  be  remembered  when  Europeans,  or  critics  among 
ourselves,  are  disposed  to  sneer  at  American  fashionable 
life  and  manners,  confounding  the  really  superior  class 
with  vulgar  pretenders  unworthy  to  be  named  with  them. 

At  a  ball  given  in  Fifth  Avenue,  in  the  winter  of 
186T,  "the  German"  was  danced  in  the  costumes  in 
vogue  from  the  twelfth  to  the  eighteenth  century.  Fif- 
teen hundred  invitations  were  issued.  In  Washington, 
the  same  season,  many  receptions  were  given  at  which 


WASHINGTON   GAYETIES.  455 

there  were  a  thousand  guests.  At  the  White  House, 
two  separate  entrances  opened  on  a  double  roadway. 
The  light  from  great  globes  over  the  portals  fell  on  a 
mass  of  carriages,  among  which  might  be  seen  the 
"  rattletrap"  of  the  Virginia  farmer,  drawn  by  one  horse 
and  driven  by  an  ancient  "freedman."  The  brilliant 
though  motley  crowd  emerging  from  the  dressing-rooms 
met  in  the  open  sea  of  the  "  East  Room."  The  Presi- 
dent, in  black,  clean  shaven,  stood  in  his  place,  the  pic- 
ture of  the  severe  respectability  of  the  olden  time.  Mrs. 
Patterson  and  Mrs.  Storr,  who  received  the  guests,  were 
simply  dressed ;  the  cost  of  other  dresses  might  be  esti- 
mated by  thousands.  A  prominent  belle  was  the  wife 
of  the  Chilian  Minister ;  and  in  artistic  array  Mrs, 
Sprague  bore  away  the  palm.  She  is  slender  to  fragility, 
with  abundant  brown  hair  and  beautiful  eyes,  shadowed 
by  long  dark  lashes.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Secretary 
Salmon  P.  Chase,  and  the  wife  of  Senator  Sprague,  of 
Ehode  Island.  The  wife  of  Senator  Morgan  wore  the 
most  valuable  diamonds. 

In  the  winter  of  1867  was  introduced  in  N"ew  York 
the  fashion  of  giving  balls  at  Delmonico's  rooms,  which 
had  long  been  used  by  gentlemen  for  their  dinner-parties. 
Balls  for  the  "coming  out"  of  young  ladies  were  given 
there  ;  the  proprietor  furnishing  attendants,  music,  flow- 
ers, and  supper,  at  a  certain  price  per  guest.  There  was 
a  separate  entrance  to  the  rooms  thus  appropriated,  and 
strict  seclusion  could  be  had ;  but  one  can  hardly  give 
the  name  of  hospitality  to  such  entertainments. 


456  QUEENS  OP  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

It  is  undeniable  that  changes,  and  changes  not  for 
the  better,  have  taken  place  during  the  last  few  years  in 
American  social  life  in  every  quarter  of  the  Union. 
They  have  been  most  perceptible  in  New  York  and  at 
the  most  popular  watering-places ;  chiefly  Saratoga  and 
Newport.  There,  to  be  "fast"  has  been  to  lead  the  ton. 
In  1864:  the  great  feature  of  the  season  at'  Newport, 
among  the  lively  folk  thus  designated  by  the  grave  and 
dignified,  was  the  driving  of  "  four-in-hands."  One 
young  lady  drove  a  three-in-hand  of  tiny  ponies,  that 
looked  like  playthings.  Another  "took  the  wind  out  of 
all  the  female  sails,"  by  appearing  in  a  "  turn-out "  with 
four  black  ponies ;  a  groom  riding  a  fifth  in  the  rear. 
The  Brazilian  dames,  said  to  have  worn  head-dresses 
composed  of  small  gauze  balls,  each  imprisoning  a  fire- 
fly, were  outdone  by  a  New  York  lady  at  a  fancy  ball 
given  by  her.  She  personated  "  Lyrus,"  wearing  on  her 
head  a  wreath  of  flowers,  while  over  the  forehead  rose  a 
lyre  composed  of  tiny  gas-lights,  fed  from  a  small  reser- 
voir concealed  in  the  dress,  and  flashing  as  she  moved 
her  head. 

Since  the  condition  of  things  during  the  war  enabled 
men  to  amass  fortunes  in  an  incredibly  short  time,  and 
the  discovery  of  oil  in  almost  worthless  lands  .gave  them 
suddenly  immense  value,  the  "shoddy"  and  "petro- 
leum" element  has  been  prominent  in  circles  composed 
of  wealthy  persons  inclined  to  scatter  their  money 
profusely  for  the  purpose  of  display.  These  leaders  of 
gayety  flutter  in  the  admiring  gaze  of  the  stupid  and 


FAST  PEOPLE.  457 

ignorant  masses,  but  they  are  not  worthy  to  be  named  in 
the  same  category  with  those  who  can  boast  better  claims 
to  distinction  than  merely  the  possession  of  money.  It 
is  not  worth  our  while  to  treasure  the  names  of  ladies  of 
this  order,  who  have  made  themselves  conspicuous  en- 
tirely by  the  extravagance  of  their  entertainments,  the 
excessive  costliness  of  their  dress,  or  their  disregard  of 
all  feminine  discretion.  It  is  very  easy  to  create  a  sen- 
sation in  New  York,  or  any  large  city.  Where  there  is 
a  display  of  unbounded  wealth,  such  old-fashioned  arti- 
cles as  morality  and  good  taste  are  often  despised. 
During  the  season  of  1865-66,  six  hundred  balls,  more 
or  less  public,  were  given  in  that  city,  and  it  was  esti- 
mated that  seven  millions  of  dollars  were  spent  by  the 
ball-goers ;  the  average  cost  of  a  suitable  dress  being  a 
thousand  dollars,  without  jewelry.  Frequently  ten 
thousand  dollars  might  be  seen  glittering  on  one  fine 
form ;  the  cost  having  increased  since  diamond  dust  be- 
came a  necessity  in  a  lady's  toilet.  Of  course  these 
public  balls  are  not  attended  generally  by  fashionable 
people ;  but  their  extravagance  shows  the  tendency  in 
popular  taste.  The  wildest  stories  are  extant  in  current 
gossip  about  those  dames  of  the  gay  world.  One,  who 
is  building  a  splendid  house  near  Central  Park,  is  said 
to  get  herself  up  with  hasheesh  for  dissipation.  Another, 
overturned  in  a  pony  drive,  and  almost  swooning,  faintly 
exclaimed,  "  Take  me  to  my  children !" — "  She'll  have  to 
be  introduced  to  them,"  observed  a  cynical  by-stander. 
To  rise  and  reign  among  the  money-worshiping  idiots  of 
20 


4:58  QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY. 

this  kind  of  fashion  in  New  York — to  hold  the  metropo- 
lis in  admiration — it  is  only  necessary  to  possess  millions 
and  scatter  money  lavishly  for  show.  No  matter  how 
the  riches  are  obtained ;  dishonesty,  cruelty,  repudiation 
of  debts,  even  fraud,  provided  it  comes  not  under  the 
ban  of  law,  are  lost  in  the  brightness  with  which  wealth 
covers  its  possessor.  But  such  worse  than  vulgar  par- 
venues  dare  not  aspire  even  to  admission  to  the  society 
ruled  by  ladies  such  as  are  illustrated  in  this  volume. 
The  really  excellent  will  never  mingle  with  them.  Their 
day  to  shine  must  be  short,  even  among  the  golden-calf 
idolaters  of  New  Tork.  That  city,  as  well  as  others, 
may  boast  her  pure-blooded,  pure-mannered  aristocracy, 
deserving  respect  as  well  as  admiration,  and  exercising  a 
healthy  influence  over  all  grades. 

A  few  American  ladies  have  become  known  in  Paris 
for  great  powers  of  song,  and  as  amateur  actresses  and 
vocalists  have  received  attention  at  court  and  from  con- 
noisseurs. Mrs.  Hills  is  pre-eminent  in  this  country  in 
instrumental  music.  Her  talent  and  gift  of  improvisa- 
tion were  inherited  from  her  father,  who  was  highly 
cultivated  in  the  classic  school.  He  directed  her  musical 
t  studies  in  the  works  of  the  great '  German  masters,  ac- 
companying her  on  the  violin,  when  playing  the  sonatas 
of  Haydn,  Mozart,  and  other  eminent  composers. 


J.OJOnnrEKIFIllEQ.in). 


MRS.   BUTTEEFIELD.  459 

MES.  HENEY  J.  BUTTEEFIELD,  an  American  lady  whose 
beauty,  grace  and  accomplishments  not  only  gave  her  a 
prominent  position  in  New  York  as  a  youthful  belle,  but 
as  a  celebrity  in  the  court  circles  and  with  the  noblesse 
of  Paris,  Should  be  noticed  among  those  who  have  added 
lustre  to  the  society  of  this  country. 

She  was  Miss  Mary  Koosevelt  Burke,  daughter  of  the 
Hon.  M.  Burke,  and  niece  of  Judge  Eoosevelt,  of  New 
York.  As  a  young  lady,  she  passed  much  of  her  time  in 
the  family  of  her  uncle,  from  whose  house  she  was  married 
to  Mr.  Henry  J.  Butterfield,  an  English  gentleman  of 
wealth  and  position.  Soon  after  her  marriage  she  went 
to  Europe,  and,  finding  the  society  of  Paris  much  to  her 
taste,  made  that  city  her  home.  Her  personal  beauty  ? 
her  natural  grace,  her  many  accomplishments  (being  a 
fine  linguist),  and  her  exquisite  taste  in  dress,  added  to 
her  husband's  wealth  and  liberality,  soon  gave  her  a 
prominent  position  in  the  court  circles  of  that  brilliant 
capital.  She  was  much  noticed  by  the  Emperor  and 
Empress,  and  was  always  a  welcome  guest  at  the  private 
parties  given  at  the  Tuileries,  where  her  faultless  toilette 
was  much  admired  by  the  Empress  Eugenie,  herself  the 
queen  of  taste  and  fashion.  Her  house  was  the  resort 
of  distinguished  foreigners  and  diplomats,  who  delighted 
in  her  society,  while  her  own  countrypeople,  who  had  a 
claim  to  be  received,  were  particularly  welcome. 

It  was  not  alone  in  Paris  that  Mrs.  Butterfield  was 
admired.  She  was  presented  at  the  Court  of  Queen  Vic- 
toria, and,  amid  the  galaxy  of  beauty  found  at  an  English 


460  QUEENS   OF   AMERICAN   SOCIETY. 

court  drawing-room,  attracted  much  attention.  During 
one  of  her  visits  to  London,  she  attended  a  ball  given  "by 
a  fashionable  duchess,  where  her  magnificent  toilette  and 
distingue  appearance  elicited  universal  admiration.  A 
royal  lady  who  was  present  was  so  much  charmed  with 
her  exquisite  taste  that  she  sent  one  of  her  attendants  to 
find  out  who  the  beautiful  stranger  was.  On  being  told 
she  was  an  American  lady,  she  expressed  surprise  that 
any  one  but  a  Parisian  could  exhibit  such  a  toilette  or  so 
much  grace. 

Mrs.  Butterfield  was  presented  to  the  late  Empress  of 
.Russia  at  Nice,  where  she  passed  a  winter;  and  that 
illustrious  lady  was  so  charmed  with  the  young  Ameri- 
can, that  she  treated  her  in  the  most  affectionate  man- 
ner. She  presented  her  to  the  other  members  of  the 
Imperial  family,  who  always  manifested  the  greatest 
interest  in  Mrs.  Butterfield. 

Mrs.  Butterfield  was  not  spoiled  by  all  this  adulation, 
but  retained  the  purity,  sincerity,  and  charming  sim- 
plicity of  her  early  life.  Elegant,  cultivated,  and  re- 
fined, she  was  a  true-hearted  woman,  loving  her  country 
and  its  institutions,  loyal  to  her  flag  at  all  times  and 
under  all  circumstances,  and  doing  all  in  her  power  to 
make  the  name  of  America  honored  and  respected  abroad. 

She  was  a  faithful  and  affectionate  wife  and  mother, 
a  devoted  daughter,  a  true  Christian,  loving  and  kind  to 
all  connected  with  her.  Her  death  was* mourned  by 
many  friends  in  the  brilliant  circle  she  adorned,  while 
to  her  husband  and  relatives  her  loss  was  irreparable. 


UTOEX  OF  NAMES. 


Adams,  Abigail 103 

Adams,  Mrs.  John  Quincy 109 

Adams,  Miss  (Mrs.  Smith) 106 

Letters,  63,  75, 138,  &c. 

Acklen,  Mrs 417 

Alexander,  Lady  Catherine 44 

Allen,  Mrs 211 

Allen,  Miss 93 

Ambler  Family 19 

Bal,  Senora  del 356 

Barney,  Miss 273 

Barton,  Mrs.  Thomas 275 

Beekman,Mrs 171 

Belmont,  Mrs.  Augusts 453 

Benton,  Miss  Jessie 434 

Benton,  Mrs.  Thomas  H 435 

Bingham.Mrs 137 

Bingham,  the  Misses 147 

Bledsoe,  Sarah 195 

Bodisco,  Madame 436 

Bonaparte,  Madame 165 

Bradford,  Mrs 34 

Breckenridge,  Mrs.  Robert 297 

Brecke  nridge,  Margaret 452 

Brehau,  Marchioness  de 2S,  106 

Brewton,  Mrs 184 

Brown,  Mrs.  A.  G. 838 

Brown,  Mrs.  A.  V 339 

Brown,  Mrs.  Jacob 226 

Brugiere,  Mrs 452 

Bruyn,  Blandina 160 

Bullitt,  Miss  Louisa 426 

Burns,  Marcia  (Mrs.  Van  Ness) 264 

Butt,  Miss,  of  Norfolk 273 

Butterfield,  Mrs,  H.  J 459 


Cabell,Mrs. 

Caldwell,  Miss  (Mr&  Qillam) 

Calhonn,  Mrs.  Andrew 

Calhoun,  Mrs.  John  C. 

Calhoun,  Mrs. 

Carey,  Miss  Hetty 

Carneal,  Miss  Sallie 

Carrington,  Mrs.  Edward 

Carroll  Family 

Carroll,  Mrs.  Charles 

Cass,Miss 

Caton,  Mrs. 

Caton,  the  Misses 

Chestnut,  Mrs.  James 

Chew,  the  Misses 

Clay,  Mrs.  Clement 

Clay,  Mrs.  Henry 

Clinton,  Mrs 

Clinton,  the  Misses 

Clinton,  Cornelia 

Combs,  Mrs 

Costar,  Mrs.  John 

Cranch,Mrs 

Crittenden,  Mrs.  J.  J. 

Crlttenden,  Miss 

Gushing,  Mrs 

Custis,  Eleanor  Parke 

Cnstis  Familv .... 


Custis,  Mrs.  Mary 
Cults,  Mrs. 


Dahlgren,  Miss 889 

Davis,  Mrs 840 

De  Lancey  Family 198 

De  Peyster  Family 175 


162 


INDEX  OF  NAMES. 


Derby,  Mrs.  Richard 324 

Douglas,  Mrs 340 

Dubois,  Mrs.  Cornelias 359 

Duer,  Lady  Catherine 103 

Duval,  Mrs. 840 

Ellery,Miss 91 

Elliott,  Anne 190 

Elliott,  Mrs.  Barnard 1ST 

Elliott,  Mrs.  William 188 

Elinendorf,  Mrs 160 

Emmet,  Mrs.  Thomas  Addis 353,  862 

Fairfax  Family 19 

Fangeres,  Margaretta 39 

Fendall,  Miss 336 

Field,  Mrs.  Benjamin  H 175 

Field,  Mrs.  Hickson 309 

Field,  Mrs.  Hickson  W. 308 

Fish,  Mrs.  Hamilton 452 

Fisher,  Mrs.  J.  F.  227 

Fitzhugh  Family 17 

Floyd,  Mrs 297 

Foster,  Miss  Sally  (Mrs.  Otis) 38 

Frankland,  Lady  Agnes 15 

Franklin,  Sarah  (Mrs.  Bache) 153 

Franks,  Rebecca  (Lady  Johnston)....  156 
Fr6mont,Mrs 428 

Gaines,  Mrs.  Myra  Clark 841 

Gaston,  Mrs. 192 

Gates,  Mrs 174 

Genet,  Madame 91 

Gibbes,  Mrs 136 

Gilpin,  Mrs.  Henry  D 876 

Girard,  Mrs 450 

Graeme,  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Ferguson)  ..  152 

Graydon,  Mrs 88 

Greene,  Mrs.  Nathanael 131 

Haight,Mrs 808 

Haley,Mrs 89 

Hamilton,  Mrs.  Alexander 163 

Hampton,  Miss 296 

Hampton,  Mrs.  Wade  484 

Hancock,  Mrs.  Johu 114 

Hart,  Miss  Susan 195 

Harvey,  Mrs. 452 

Harvey,  the  Misses 182 

Hayes,  Mrs. 417 


PACK 

Keald,  Mrs 209 

Helm,  Mrs 210 

Hills,  Mrs.  Henry  W 449 

Hitchcock,  Miss  Lillie 451 

Hunt,  Mrs.  Sallie  Ward 285, 

Huntington,  Mrs. 223  . 


Innis,  Mrs.  Henry. 
Izard,  Mrs.  Ralph  . 


192 


Jackson,  Mrs.  Andrew 276 

Jay  Family 85 

Jay,  Mrs.  John 44 

Jefferson,  Martha 88 

Jefferson,  Mrs.  Thomas 37 

Jeykell,  Mrs. 14 

Johnson,  Mrs.  Reverdy 340 

Johnston,  Mrs. 231 

Johnston,  Mrs.  Albert  Sidney 434 

Jones,  Mrs.  Wilie 192 

Jones,  Mrs.  William 808 

Kenton,  Mrs 204 

King,  Mrs.  Rufus 159 

Kinzie,  Mrs. 210 

Knox,  Mrs 96 

La  Fayette,  Madame  de 61,  &c. 

Lane,  Miss  Harriet 835 

Leavenworth,  Mrs 810 

Le  Vert,  Madame  Octavia  Walton. . . .  396 

Le  Vert,  Miss  Octavia 408 

Livingston,  Miss  Cora 274 

Livingston,  Mrs.  Edward 273 

Livingston  Family 41 

Livingston,  Governor,  Daughters  of  . .    43 
Livingston,  Miss  Kitty— Letters. .  .50,  &c. 

Livingston,  Miss  Susan 43 

Long,  Mrs.  Nicholas 192 

Low,  Mrs. 93 

Macgregor,  Mrs 873 

Mack,  Mrs.  John 855 

Macubbin,  Mrs.  James 22 

Madison,  Mrs 238 

Marbois,  Madame  de 109 

Marshall,  Emily 324 

Marshall,  Mrs 266 

Mason,  Miss  Emily 422 

McDowell,  Mrs.  Barnes 296 


INDEX  OP  NAMES. 


463 


MeEvers.  Eliza  (Mrs.  John  fc.  Living- 
ston)    274 

McEvers,  Mary 31,  274 

McKinley,  Mrs 32S 

McLane,  Mrs.  Louis 272 

McLean,  Mrs 336 

Merrick,  Mrs. 293 

Montgomery,  Mrs 24 

Morgan,  Mrs 455 

Morgan,  Eliza 336 

Morris,  Mrs.  Lewis 189 

Morris,  Mrs.  Robert  ....26,  81,  52, 147,  &c. 
Motto,  Mrs 186 

Nelson,  Mrs. 20 

Ogden,  Miss 108 

Otis,Mrs. 33 

Otis.  Mrs.  Harrison  Gray 311 

Ouseley,  Lady 292 

Pa-re,  Mrs. 20 

Parish,  Mrs.  Henry 308 

Parker,  Miss  Minnie 451 

Patterson,  Mrs.  Robert 36 

Payne,  the  Misses 239,  240 

Peabody,  Mrs 105 

Pendleton,  Mrs. SOS 

Peters,  Mrs 1 60 

Phclps,  Paulina 182, 185 

Philipse,  Mary 14 

Pleasants,  Mrs 226 

Polk,  Mrs.  James  K 213 

Preble,  Miss  Harriet 325 

Prescott,  Mrs.  "William  II 325 

Preston  Family 296 

Preston,  Mrs.  William 207 

Preston,  Mrs.  William  C 298 

Pringle,Mrs 340 

Quincy  Family 113 

Quincy,  Miss  (Mrs.  Asa  Clapp) 272 


Randolph,  Edmonia 

Randolph,  Mrs 

Reed,  Mrs. 

Redfleld,  Mrs. 

Renwick,  Mrs 

Ritchie,  Mrs.  Montgomery... 
Rosa  Vertner  Jeffrey 


PAOF, 

Rivington,  Mrs 182 

Robertson,  Mrs 204 

Robinson,  Mrs. 14 

Roosevelt,  Mrs.  J.  J 281 

Roosevelt,  Miss 292 

Ross,  Miss 84 

Roupell,  Mary 182, 186 

Rush,  Mrs.  James 863 

Sauders,  Miss 838 

Schaumburg,  Miss  Emilie 892 

Schermerhorn,  Mrs.  John 451 

Schermerhorn,  Mrs.  William 452 

Schuyler,  Catalina 15 

Schnyler,  Mrs.  Philip 162 

Scott,  Miss  Helen 427 

Scott,  Mrs.  Winfield 295 

Sears,  Miss 108 

Sedgwick,  Mrs,  Theodore 98 

Sevier.  Mrs. 197 

Sevier,  Ruth 202 

Seymour,  Julia 85 

Shaw,  Mrs 105 

Sheaffe,  the  Misses 107 

Shippen,  Margaret  (Mrs.  Arnold) 154 

Sibley,  Mrs. 209 

Sinsleton,  Mrs. 183 

Sitgreaves,  Mrs 261 

Slidell,  Mrs. 886 

Smith,  the  Misses 107 

Sprague,  Mrs. 455 

Staiinard,  Mrs.  Robert 420 

St.  Clair,Miss 206 

Stevens,  Mrs.  John  C. 807 

Stewart,  Mrs 83 

Stirling,  Lady 44 

Stockton,  Mrs.  Richard 159 

Strangford,  Lady 55 

Talbot,Mrs. 206 

Temple,  Elizabeth 87 

Temple,  Lady 88 

Thompson,  Sarah  (Countess  Rumford)  138 

Trask,  Miss 212 

Tryon,Lady 191 

Van  Cortlandt  Family 171 

Van  Home  Ladies  155 

Van  Ness,  Mrs. 264 

Van  Ness,  Ann  Elbertina  (Mrs.  Arthur 
Middleton) 267,268 


464 


INDEX  OF  NAMES. 


PAGE 

Van  Ness,  Miss  Cornelia 282 

VanNess,Mrs.  0.  P 281 

Van  Kensselaer,  Mrs 174 

Vining,Miss '. 253 

VonBerckel,  Miss 108 

Waddell,  Mrs.  Coventry SS2 

Wadsworth,  Mrs.  James  S 890 

Wadsworth,  Miss  Elizabeth 391 

Wake,  Esther 191 

Wallace,  Mrs.  E.  P 324 

Wallace,  Mrs.  John  Bradford 263 

Wallace  Mrs.  Mary  Binney 263 

Wallace,  Mrs.  Susan 263 

Walworth,Mrs 208 

Ward,  Miss  Lillie 236 

Ward,  Mrs.  Robert  J 223 

Ward,  Miss  Sallie 228 

Washington,  Mrs IT,  21,  28,  81,  &c. 

Washington,  Mrs.  (Jane  Elliott) 189 


PAGH 

Webster,  Mrs.  Daniel 874 

Wheate,  Lady 108 

White,  the  Misses 89 

White,  Mrs.  Florida 225 

White,  Mrs.  James  W 342 

Wickham,  Mrs 422 

Wickham,  the  Misses 422 

Wickliffe,  Margaret 297 

Willing  Family 136 

Wilson,  Mrs 167 

Winthrop,  Mrs 88 

Winthrop,  Hannah 95 

Wolcott,  Mrs 35 

Wolcott,  Miss  Mary  Ann 85 

Woodbury,  Mrs.  Levi 272 

Wooley,  Mrs 297 

Wooster,  Mrs. 132 

Wortley,  Lady  Emmeline  Stuart 404 

Yrujo,  de  Casa,  Marchioness..  .37,  283,  983 


-, 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 

WIVERSrrV  OF  CALIFORNIA  UBRARV 

Los  Angeles 


Form  L9-S 


315 


E 
176 


1873 


